bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of an HPLC‐DAD method for the determination of five alkaloids in Stephania yunnanensis Lo and in rat plasma after oral dose of Stephania yunnanensis Lo extracts
Authors: Xin Aiyi , Zhang Yaming , Zhang Yanxia , Di Duolong , Liu Junxi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFor the rational utilization and the quantitative quality control of the Stephania yunnanensis Lo, an HPLC‐DAD method was developed for the quantitative and simultaneous determination of five alkaloids in rat plasma (stepharine, sinomenine, palmatine, isocorydine and tetrahydropalmatine), which were the main active chemical constituents of this plant and belong to four kinds of isoquinoline‐type alkaloids (protoberberine, morphine, aporphine and protaporphine alkaloids). The contents of five alkaloids ranged from 0.09 to 2.32% (w/w). The method validation was tested for the linearity (r2 > 0.9975), precision (intra‐day RSD < 4.8% and inter‐day RSD < 4.9%), extraction recovery (85.49 ± 2.29% to 99.21 ± 1.48%) and stability (98.5 ± 5.3% to 101.2 ± 3.4%). We developed an HPLC‐DAD method to simultaneously measure these alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of the extract of this plant to rats. The results supported the hypothesis that isoquinoline alkaloids were the compounds responsible for the main pharmacological activities for anti‐inflammatory and analgesic.
Oral phase dysphagia in facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy
Authors: Watanabe Mitsuru , Shiraishi Wataru , Yamasaki Ryo , Isobe Noriko , Sawatsubashi Motohiro , Yasumatsu Ryuji , Nakagawa Takashi , Kira Jun‐ichi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionFacial onset motor and sensory neuronopathy (FOSMN) is a rare disease whose cardinal features are initial asymmetrical facial sensory deficits followed by bulbar symptoms and spreading of sensory and motor deficits from face to scalp, neck, upper trunk, and upper extremities in a rostral–caudal direction. Although bulbar involvement is frequently observed in FOSMN, dysphagia in these patients has not been fully described. In this study, we aimed to characterize dysphagia as a prognostic factor in FOSMN by investigating our institutional case series.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records, including swallowing function tests, of six patients with FOSMN (three men and three women) who were thoroughly examined at Kyushu University Hospital between 1 January 2005 and 30 November 2017.ResultsAverage age at onset was 58.5 years; average disease duration was 5.7 years. All patients developed bulbar dysfunction and dysphagia (at an average of 1.8 and 2.6 years from onset, respectively), resulting in choking episodes in three patients, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement in three, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia in one. Four of five patients evaluated with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies had poor oral retention, leading to bolus flowing into the pharynx before swallowing; the fifth patient showed poor lingual transfer. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing revealed leakage of blue‐dyed water from the mouth to the pharynx in three patients because of poor oral retention, but only mild pharyngeal phase dysphagia in all four cases evaluated.ConclusionsOral phase dysphagia predominates in the early stage of FOSMN.
Pristimerin targeting NF‐κB pathway inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Tu Yuanqing , Tan Fuxing , Zhou Jingfeng , Pan Jingxuan 
Published: May 2018

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death with poor prognosis in China. Identifying novel targeted therapies in ESCC is urgently needed. The aberrant activation of NF‐κB signalling pathway is critical for prognosis and recurrence of ESCC, which make it a potential target in the treatment of ESCC. Here, we found that pristimerin inhibited ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, induced cell apoptosis, and eliminated cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs). It also showed a synergistic effect on ESCC when combined with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). Moreover, pristimerin potently inhibited the growth of ESCC xenograft in nude mice. The anti‐ESCC effects of pristimerin were demonstrated to be associated with the inhibition of NF‐κB pathway by suppressing tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα)‐induced IκBα phosphorylation, p65 translocation, and NF‐κB‐dependent gene expression. This study provides an evidence for the development of pristimerin to be a new therapeutic agent for ESCC.Significance of the studyAlthough several approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy had been applied in the treatment of ESCC, more effective targeted chemotherapies are required to increase the survival rates of patients. This study suggested that inhibiting NF‐κB signalling pathway could be an effective approach for the treatment of ESCC. Pristimerin, a potent NF‐κB inhibitor, exerted potent anti‐ESCC effects both in vitro and in vivo, which may be a promising therapeutic agent for ESCC.
A Crown‐Shaped Ru‐Substituted Arsenotungstate for Selective Oxidation of Sulfides with Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Han Mengdan , Niu Yanjun , Wan Rong , Xu Qiaofei , Lu Jingkun , Ma Pengtao , Zhang Chao , Niu Jingyang , Wang Jingping 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAn acetate‐bridged Ru‐substituted arsenotungstate [H2N(CH3)2]14[As4W40O140{Ru2(CH3COO)}2]⋅22 H2O (1) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Four Ru atoms occupy the respective lacunary S2 sites of the crown‐shaped polyanion [As4W40O140]28−, and each Ru atom is coordinated by one As atom and five μ2‐O atoms, comprising four from the S2 site and one from the acetate ligand. To the best of our knowledge, this coordination of the Ru atom, with an Ru−As bond length of 2.377(3)–2.387(3) Å, is unprecedented in polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry. Notably, 1 exhibits high efficiency, excellent selectivity, and good recyclability for the oxidation of sulfides with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Catalytic oxidation of various sulfides in the presence of 1 gives superior conversion and selectivity for sulfones in acetonitrile, whereas sulfoxides are obtained in methanol.
C−H Borylation/Cross‐Coupling Forms Twisted Donor–Acceptor Compounds Exhibiting Donor‐Dependent Delayed Emission
Authors: Crossley Daniel L. , Kulapichitr Pakapol , Radcliffe James E. , Dunsford Jay J. , Vitorica‐Yrezabal Inigo , Kahan Rachel J. , Woodward Adam W. , Turner Michael L. , McDouall Joseph J. W. , Ingleson Michael J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBenzothiadiazole (BT) directed C−H borylation using BCl3, followed by B−Cl hydrolysis and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling enables facile access to twisted donor–acceptor compounds. A subsequent second C−H borylation step provides, on arylation of boron, access to borylated highly twisted D−A compounds with a reduced bandgap, or on B−Cl hydrolysis/cross‐coupling to twisted D‐A‐D compounds. Photophysical studies revealed that in this series there is long lifetime emission only when the donor is triphenylamine. Computational studies indicated that the key factor in observing the donor dependent long lifetime emission is the energy gap between the S1/T2 excited states, which are predominantly intramolecular charge‐transfer states, and the T1 excited state, which is predominantly a local excited state on the BT acceptor moiety.
Stereoselective HPLC separation of alvimopan on cellulose‐based immobilized polysaccharide as a chiral stationary phase
Authors: Dhekale Nitin H. , Gunjal Dattatray B. , Gore Anil H. , Komaravolu Yagnakirankumar , Hima Bindu K. , Kolekar Govind B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChiral separation by normal phase high performance liquid chromatography is one of the most powerful technique to quantify the chiral purity of the compounds. In this study, a novel, simple, and specific analytical method was proposed to ascertain the chiral purity of alvimopan (ALV). The normal phase HPLC method was developed based on cellulose tris (3,5‐dichlorophenylcarbamate) stationary phase. The separation of ALV isomers achieved by using column CHIRALPAK IC (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), mobile phase n‐hexane: isopropyl alcohol: ethanol: diethylamine (650:200:150:5 v/v), column oven temperature 30°C, flow rate 1.0 mL min−1, injection volume was 10 μL, chromatographic response monitored at 273 nm. The developed method was validated as per the ICH guidelines and found precise, accurate, and linear. The advantage of the method is a good separation of ALV isomers within 35 minutes of the analysis time. Therefore, this method is suitable for routine determination of chiral purity of ALV active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Patel Krishna K. , Young Laura , Carey William , Kohn Kathryn A. , Grimm Richard A. , Rodriguez L. Leonardo , Griffin Brian P. , Desai Milind Y. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with increased mortality in patients who undergo orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Chronic vasodilatory state and poor exercise tolerance in patients with end‐stage liver disease make dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) preferred for preoperative evaluation of CAD prior to OLT. We studied the incidence of positive DSE results and the association between DSE results and perioperative and longer‐term events.HypothesisDSE results pre‐OLT will predict short and long term outcomes.MethodsWe studied 460 patients who underwent DSE within 1 year prior to OLT between 2004 and 2011. Primary events included death and MI at 30 days post‐OLT. We also recorded longer‐term deaths.ResultsFour patients (0.9%) had an ischemic response to DSE, 360 (78%) were normal, and 96 (21%) were nondiagnostic. Fourteen patients (3%) had a primary event at 30 days following OLT (13 deaths and 1 NSTEMI), and there were 108 (24%) deaths at 4.6±2 years of follow‐up. No patient with ischemia on DSE had a 30‐day event. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of DSE that was not normal (ie, ischemic or nondiagnostic response) to predict 30‐day post‐OLT events were 76%, 14%, 78%, 2%, and 97%, respectively. On Cox survival analysis, only baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85–0.96, P < 0.001) was associated with longer‐term deaths.ConclusionsPatients undergoing pre‐OLT DSE have very low incidence of an ischemic response on DSE, and it has no association with 30‐day events.
Synthesis and Evaluation of a Series of Bis(pentylpyridinium) Compounds as Antifungal Agents
Authors: Obando Daniel , Koda Yasuko , Pantarat Namfon , Lev Sophie , Zuo Xiaoming , Bijosono Oei Johanes , Widmer Fred , Djordjevic Julianne T. , Sorrell Tania C. , Jolliffe Katrina A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA series of bis(4‐pentylpyridinium) compounds with a variety of spacers between the pyridinium headgroups was synthesised, and the antifungal activity of these compounds was investigated. Lengthening the alkyl spacer between the pentylpyridinium headgroups from 12 to 16 methylene units resulted in increased antifungal activity against C. neoformans and C. albicans, but also resulted in increased hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. However, inclusion of an ortho‐substituted benzene ring in the centre of the alkyl spacer resulted in decreased cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity, while maintaining antifungal potency. Replacement of the alkyl and aromatic‐containing spacers by more hydrophilic ethylene glycol groups resulted in a loss of antifungal activity. Some of the compounds inhibited fungal PLB1 activity, but the low correlation of this inhibition with antifungal potency indicates PLB1 inhibition is unlikely to be the predominant mode of antifungal action of this class of compounds, with preliminary studies suggesting they may act via disruption of fungal mitochondrial function.
Moving toward a more rational, evidence‐based approach to PSA screening, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Filson Christopher P. 
Published: May 2018

Screening with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) has decreased since recommendations against its use in 2012, with some claims of subsequent and related increase in metastatic prostate cancer incidence. Competing trends and alternative hypotheses should be investigated before accepting a direct link between a decrease in PSA screening and rise in metastatic prostate cancer.See also pages 2733‐9.
Channel estimation based on learning automata for OFDM systems
Authors: Salehi Fateme , Majidi Mohammad‐Hassan , Neda Naaser 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe abundant benefits of Orthogonal Frequency‐Division Multiplexing and its high flexibility have resulted in its widespread applications in many telecommunication standards. One important parameter for improving wireless system's efficiency is the accurate estimation of channel state information. In the literatures, many techniques have been studied in order to estimate the channel state information. Nowadays, the techniques based on intelligent algorithms such as genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization (PSO) have attracted attention of researchers. With a very low pilot overhead, these techniques are able to estimate the channel frequency response properly only using the received signals. Unfortunately, each of these techniques suffers a common weakness: they have a slow convergence rate. In this paper, a new intelligent and different method has been presented for channel estimation using learning automata, entitled LA estimator, where the learning automata are search agents, and each pair is responsible for searching 1 complex coefficient of the channel frequency response. This method can achieve an accurate channel estimation with a moderate computational complexity in comparison with GA and PSO estimators. Furthermore, with higher convergence rate, our proposed method is capable of providing the same performance as GA and PSO. For a 2‐path fast fading channel, simulation results demonstrate the robustness of our proposed scheme according to the bit error rate and the mean square error.
Profiling of new psychoactive substances by using stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry: Study of the synthetic cannabinoid 5F‐PB‐22
Authors: Münster‐Müller S. , Scheid N. , Holdermann T. , Schneiders S. , Pütz M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, the results of a pilot study on the profiling of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist 5F‐PB‐22 (5F‐QUPIC, pentylfluoro‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxylic acid‐8‐quinolinyl ester) via isotope ratio mass spectrometry are presented. It focuses on δ13C, δ15N and δ2H isotope ratios, which are determined using elemental analyser (EA) and high temperature elemental analyser (TC/EA) coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). By means of a sample of pure material of 5F‐PB‐22, it is shown that the extraction of 5F‐PB‐22 from herbal material, a rapid clean‐up procedure, or preparative column chromatography had no influence on the isotope ratios. Furthermore, 5F‐PB‐22 was extracted from 14 different herbal blend samples (“Spice products” from police seizures) and analysed via IRMS, yielding 3 clusters containing 7, 5, and 2 samples, distinguishable through their isotopic composition, respectively. It is assumed that herbal blends in each cluster have been manufactured from individual batches of 5F‐PB‐22.
Local weather and body condition influence habitat use and movements on land of molting female southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)
Authors: Chaise Laureline L. , Prinet Iris , Toscani Camille , Gallon Susan L. , Paterson William , McCafferty Dominic J. , Théry Marc , Ancel André , Gilbert Caroline 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSouthern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) are known to move and aggregate while molting, but little is known about their behavior on land during this time. In this study, 60 adult females were monitored (23 with GPS tags) during four molting seasons, between 2012 and 2016 at Kerguelen Archipelago, Indian Ocean. Population surveys were recorded each year (N = 230 daily counts), and habitat use was analyzed in relation to the stage of the molt and local weather. Based on stage of molt, habitat use, and movements on land, we classified the molt of elephant seals into three phases: (1) a “search phase” at the initial stage of molt when grass and wallow habitats were used and characterized by greater mean distances travelled on land per day compared with the two other phases; (2) a “resident phase”: during initial and mid‐stage of molt when animals were found in grass and wallow habitats but with less distance moved on land; and (3) a “termination phase” at the final stage of molt where grass and beach habitats were occupied with no change in distances. Windchill and solar radiation influenced individual distances moved per day (mean 590 ± 237.0 m) at the mid‐ and final stage of molt such that animals travelled greater distances on days of low windchill or high solar radiation. Individual variation in distance moved and relative habitat use were also linked to body mass index (BMI) at arrival on the colony, as females with higher BMI moved less and preferred beach habitat. Moreover, the individual rate of molt increased with the use of wallows. Aggregation rate tended to be negatively correlated with distances moved. We therefore suggest that individuals face an energetic trade‐off while molting, balancing energy expenditure between movement and thermoregulation.
Improving geographically extensive acoustic survey designs for modeling species occurrence with imperfect detection and misidentification
Authors: Banner Katharine M. , Irvine Kathryn M. , Rodhouse Thomas J. , Wright Wilson J. , Rodriguez Rogelio M. , Litt Andrea R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAcoustic recording units (ARUs) enable geographically extensive surveys of sensitive and elusive species. However, a hidden cost of using ARU data for modeling species occupancy is that prohibitive amounts of human verification may be required to correct species identifications made from automated software. Bat acoustic studies exemplify this challenge because large volumes of echolocation calls could be recorded and automatically classified to species. The standard occupancy model requires aggregating verified recordings to construct confirmed detection/non‐detection datasets. The multistep data processing workflow is not necessarily transparent nor consistent among studies. We share a workflow diagramming strategy that could provide coherency among practitioners. A false‐positive occupancy model is explored that accounts for misclassification errors and enables potential reduction in the number of confirmed detections. Simulations informed by real data were used to evaluate how much confirmation effort could be reduced without sacrificing site occupancy and detection error estimator bias and precision. We found even under a 50% reduction in total confirmation effort, estimator properties were reasonable for our assumed survey design, species‐specific parameter values, and desired precision. For transferability, a fully documented r package, OCacoustic, for implementing a false‐positive occupancy model is provided. Practitioners can apply OCacoustic to optimize their own study design (required sample sizes, number of visits, and confirmation scenarios) for properly implementing a false‐positive occupancy model with bat or other wildlife acoustic data. Additionally, our work highlights the importance of clearly defining research objectives and data processing strategies at the outset to align the study design with desired statistical inferences.
The bacterial community structure and functional profile in the heavy metal contaminated paddy soils, surrounding a nonferrous smelter in South Korea
Authors: Tipayno Sherlyn C. , Truu Jaak , Samaddar Sandipan , Truu Marika , Preem Jens‐Konrad , Oopkaup Kristjan , Espenberg Mikk , Chatterjee Poulami , Kang Yeongyeong , Kim Kiyoon , Sa Tongmin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe pollution of agricultural soils by the heavy metals affects the productivity of the land and has an impact on the quality of the surrounding ecosystems. This study investigated the bacterial community structure in the heavy metal contaminated sites along a smelter and a distantly located paddy field to elucidate the factors that are related to the alterations of the bacterial communities under the conditions of heavy metal pollution. Among the study sites, the bacterial communities in the soil did not show any significant differences in their richness and diversity. The soil bacterial communities at the three study sites were distinct from one another at each site, possessing a distinct set of bacterial phylotypes. Among the study sites, significant changes were observed in the abundances of the bacterial phyla and genera. The variations in the bacterial community structure were mostly related to the general soil properties at the phylum level, while at the finer taxonomic levels, the concentrations of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) were the significant factors, affecting the community structure. The relative abundances of the genera Desulfatibacillum and Desulfovirga were negatively correlated to the concentrations of As, Pb, and cadmium (Cd) in the soil, while the genus Bacillus was positively correlated to the concentrations of As and Cd. According to the results of the prediction of bacterial community functions, the soil bacterial communities of the heavy metal polluted sites were characterized by the more abundant enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair, translation, transcription, and the nucleotide metabolism pathways, while the amino acid and lipid metabolism, as well as the biodegradation potential of xenobiotics, were reduced. Our results showed that the adaptation of the bacterial communities to the heavy metal contamination was predominantly attributed to the replacement process, while the changes in community richness were linked to the variations in the soil pH values.