bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intramuscular interstitial amyloid deposition does not impact anoctaminopathy‐5 phenotype
Authors: Anandan Charenya , Milone Margherita , Liewluck Teerin 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recessive mutations in the anoctamin‐5‐encoding gene (ANO5) cause muscular dystrophy of various phenotypes. Intramuscular interstitial amyloid deposits were detected in a few patients with anoctaminopathy‐5, some with cardiac involvement. The frequency of amyloid deposition in anoctaminopathy‐5 and its impact on phenotype are unknown. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with genetically proven anoctaminopathy‐5 who had undergone muscle biopsy and reviewed their clinical and laboratory data. Results: Eight of 15 patients with anoctaminopathy‐5 had intramuscular interstitial amyloid deposits. The median age at onset of weakness was 40 and 45 years in the amyloidosis and nonamyloidosis groups, respectively. Mutations occurred throughout the entire gene in the amyloidosis group. Atrial arrhythmia was noted in 4 patients with amyloidosis and in 4 patients without amyloidosis. The latter group also had premature ventricular contractions. One nonamyloidosis patient had septal hypokinesia. Discussion: Intramuscular amyloidosis occurred in 53% of patients with anoctaminopathy‐5 who underwent muscle biopsy and had no impact on the phenotype. Muscle Nerve 59:133–137, 2019
Prevalence and reasons for smoking in adolescent Swiss childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Kasteler Rahel , Belle Fabiën , Schindera Christina , Barben Jürg , Gumy‐Pause Fabienne , Tinner Eva M. , Kuehni Claudia E. ,   for the Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group (SPOG)
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundSmoking harms health, particularly that of childhood cancer survivors, who face risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases because of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the chest. This nationwide study assessed smoking habits and reasons for smoking in adolescent survivors and healthy peers.MethodsAs part of the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, we sent a questionnaire to all Swiss resident survivors, who were aged 16–19 years. We compared smoking status and reasons for smoking between 511 survivors, 141 of their siblings, and 1,727 adolescents in a representative population‐based study, the Tobacco Monitoring Switzerland (TMS).ResultsCurrent smoking was less prevalent in survivors (17%) and their siblings (17%) compared with TMS (32%). Survivors and TMS adolescents gave similar reasons for smoking. Stress control, smoking being a habit, and good taste were the reasons for smoking cited most often in both groups. Peer smoking was more important in survivors (49%) than in TMS (34%, P = 0.004). Most important reasons for not smoking in both groups were smoking being unhealthy and not wanting to be addicted.ConclusionsIn Switzerland, survivors smoke as often as their siblings but less than the general population. Peer smoking was a more important reason for smoking in survivors than in the general population, suggesting that reducing smoking in peers could result in a reduction of smoking in survivors. Overall, reasons for smoking were very similar, thus interventions to reduce smoking in survivors could be the same as those used in the general population.
Fast and solvent‐free microwave‐assisted synthesis of thermoresponsive oligo(glycidyl ether)s
Authors: Stöbener Daniel D. , Donath Dorian , Weinhart Marie 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTLow‐molecular weight linear poly(glycidyl ether)s are typically synthesized via the “classical,” oxy‐anionic ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of glycidyl ether monomers at elevated temperatures. To reduce reaction times, a fast process was developed to synthesize oligo(glycidyl ether)s (OGEs) in bulk at a gram‐scale utilizing microwave heating. Well‐defined thermoresponsive copolymers comprising glycidyl methyl ether and ethyl glycidyl ether with molecular weights of up to 3 kDa were synthesized via microwave‐assisted ROP with reaction times of approximately 10 min. The fast reaction kinetics were attributed to the rapid and uniform heating and high temperatures reached during the reaction. Consequently, no significant microwave‐specific acceleration of the oxy‐anionic ROP was observed. The temperature‐triggered phase transition of the OGEs in aqueous solution revealed cloud point temperatures that are highly dependent on the OGE molecular weight, concentration, and comonomer composition, which extends previously reported data. Furthermore, oligo(glycidyl ether) acrylates (OGEAs) with reactive, functional end groups were directly accessible via in situ quenching of the anionic, microwave‐assisted ROP with acrylic acid chloride. The obtained thermoresponsive OGEA macromonomers represent a promising material for the functionalization of surfaces via radical grafting methods to obtain functional, thermoresponsive coatings with potential application in cell culture. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2496–2504
Synthesis and opto‐electronic properties of functionalized pyrimidine‐based conjugated polymers
Authors: Karmegam Vasanthy , Udamulle Gedara Chinthaka M. , Biewer Michael C. , Stefan Mihaela C. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTSide chain engineering has been used for tuning the opto‐electronic properties of organic semiconductors. In this work, a series of pyrimidine‐based donor‐acceptor (D‐A) conjugated polymers functionalized with electron‐withdrawing or electron‐donating side chains were synthesized. The opto‐electronic properties of the pyrimidine D‐A conjugated polymers were investigated focusing on the dependence on the electron withdrawing strength of the acceptor moiety, while maintaining the same donor moiety. Fine‐tuning of the energy levels was achieved by introducing electron donating (alkoxy [OR] and alkylthio [SR]) or electron withdrawing (alkylsulfinyl [SOR] and alkylsulfonyl [SO2R]) side chains onto the acceptor moiety. The effects of side chain modification have been investigated through DFT calculations, UV–vis analysis, and electrochemical measurements. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2547–2553
Controlled evaporative self‐assembly of polymer nanoribbons using oscillating capillary bridges
Authors: Choudhary Satyan , Crosby Alfred J. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTEvaporative self‐assembly (ESA), based on the “coffee‐ring” effect, is a versatile technique for assembling particle solutions into mesoscale patterns and structures on different substrates. ESA works with a wide variety of organic and inorganic materials, where the solution is a combination of volatile solvent and nonvolatile solute. Modified ESA methods, such as “stop‐and‐go flow coating,” use a programmed meniscus “stick–slip” motion to create mesoscale assemblies with controlled shape, size, and architecture. However, current methods are not scalable for increased production volumes or patterning large surface areas. We demonstrate a new ESA method, where an oscillating blade controls the meniscus depinning and drives the evaporative assembly of solutes at the pinned meniscus. Results show that oscillation frequency and substrate speed control time/distance intervals between successive meniscus depinning, and the assembly dimensions depend on solution concentration, oscillation frequency, substrate speed, and meniscus height. We report the mechanism of the meniscus depinning and the control over assembly cross‐sectional dimensions. This advance provides a scalable ESA method with faster processing times and maintained advantages. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1545–1551
The multidisciplinary pediatric psycho‐oncology workforce: A national report on supervision for staff and training opportunities
Authors: Kazak Anne E. , Scialla Michele A. , Patenaude Andrea F. , Canter Kimberly , Muriel Anna C. , Kupst Mary Jo , Chen Fang Fang , Wiener Lori 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis paper presents data on licensure/certification status, supervision of multidisciplinary pediatric psychosocial staff, and training opportunities in pediatric cancer programs in the United States, data that are critical to provide care aligned with the Standards of Psychosocial Care in Pediatric Cancer (Psychosocial Standards).MethodsAn online survey of psychosocial care consistent with the Psychosocial Standards was completed from a national sample of pediatric cancer programs (144/200). Licensure/certification status, availability and format of supervision for multidisciplinary staff (social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, child life specialists/recreational therapists), and types and number of psychosocial trainees were reported.ResultsNearly all pediatric psychosocial providers were licensed/certified. Peer consultation was the most frequently endorsed form of staff supervision although a sizeable group of centers reported no systematic ongoing supervision. Trainees in social work and child life were most common although the size of trainee cohorts is generally small. Psychosocial trainees are more prevalent in sites with pediatric hematology/oncology medical fellowship programs and in larger programs.ConclusionsA properly trained and supported psychosocial workforce is essential to providing evidence‐based care consistent with the Psychosocial Standards. Psychosocial providers are appropriately licensed. However, supervision opportunities are variable and may be inadequate for the intensity of the work. It is important to address the limited opportunities for trainees in pediatric cancer programs, which may influence the pipeline for ongoing and future work in this area.
Biophysical insights into a highly selective l‐arginine‐binding lipoprotein of a pathogenic treponeme
Authors: Deka Ranjit K. , Liu Wei Z. , Tso Shih‐Chia , Norgard Michael V. , Brautigam Chad A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBiophysical and biochemical studies on the lipoproteins and other periplasmic proteins from the spirochetal species Treponema pallidum have yielded numerous insights into the functioning of the organism's peculiar membrane organization, its nutritional requirements, and intermediary metabolism. However, not all T. pallidum proteins have proven to be amenable to biophysical studies. One such recalcitrant protein is Tp0309, a putative polar‐amino‐acid‐binding protein of an ABC transporter system. To gain further information on its possible function, a homolog of the protein from the related species T. vincentii was used as a surrogate. This protein, Tv2483, was crystallized, resulting in the determination of its crystal structure at a resolution of 1.75 Å. The protein has a typical fold for a ligand‐binding protein, and a single molecule of l‐arginine was bound between its two lobes. Differential scanning fluorimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments confirmed that l‐arginine bound to the protein with unusually high selectivity. However, further comparison to Tp0309 showed differences in key amino‐acid‐binding residues may impart an alternate specificity for the T. pallidum protein.
Human MICAL1: Activation by the small GTPase Rab8 and small‐angle X‐ray scattering studies on the oligomerization state of MICAL1 and its complex with Rab8
Authors: Esposito Alessandro , Ventura Valeria , Petoukhov Maxim V. , Rai Amrita , Svergun Dmitri I. , Vanoni Maria A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHuman MICAL1 is a member of a recently discovered family of multidomain proteins that couple a FAD‐containing monooxygenase‐like domain to typical protein interaction domains. Growing evidence implicates the NADPH oxidase reaction catalyzed by the flavoprotein domain in generation of hydrogen peroxide as a second messenger in an increasing number of cell types and as a specific modulator of actin filaments stability. Several proteins of the Rab families of small GTPases are emerging as regulators of MICAL activity by binding to its C‐terminal helical domain presumably shifting the equilibrium from the free – auto‐inhibited – conformation to the active one. We here extend the characterization of the MICAL1–Rab8 interaction and show that indeed Rab8, in the active GTP‐bound state, stabilizes the active MICAL1 conformation causing a specific four‐fold increase of kcat of the NADPH oxidase reaction. Kinetic data and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements support the formation of a 1:1 complex between full‐length MICAL1 and Rab8 with an apparent dissociation constant of approximately 8 μM. This finding supports the hypothesis that Rab8 is a physiological regulator of MICAL1 activity and shows how the protein region preceding the C‐terminal Rab‐binding domain may mask one of the Rab‐binding sites detected with the isolated C‐terminal fragment. SAXS‐based modeling allowed us to propose the first model of the free full‐length MICAL1, which is consistent with an auto‐inhibited conformation in which the C‐terminal region prevents catalysis by interfering with the conformational changes that are predicted to occur during the catalytic cycle.
Cannabinoid WIN 55,212‐2 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth in prostate cancer in a cannabinoid‐receptor 2 dependent manner
Authors: Roberto Domenica , Klotz Laurence H. , Venkateswaran Vasundara 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundCannabinoids have demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties in a variety of malignancies, including in prostate cancer. In the present study, we explored the anti‐cancer effects of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212‐2 (WIN) in prostate cancer.MethodsEstablished prostate cancer cells (PC3, DU145, LNCaP) were treated with varying concentrations of WIN. Cell proliferation was determined by the MTS assay. The anti‐migration and anti‐invasive potential of WIN was examined by the wound healing assay and the matrigel invasion assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry, and mechanistic studies were performed by Western blot. Athymic mice (n = 10) were inoculated with human PC3 cells. Once tumors reached 100 mm3, animals were randomized into two groups: saline control and WIN (5 mg/kg), delivered by intraperitoneal injection three times per week for 3 weeks.ResultsWIN significantly reduced prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, induced apoptosis, and arrested cells in Go/G1 phase in a dose‐dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed these effects were mediated through a pathway involving cell cycle regulators p27, Cdk4, and pRb. Pre‐treatment with a CB2 antagonist, AM630, followed by treatment with WIN resulted in a reversal of the anti‐proliferation and cell cycle arrest previously seen with WIN alone. In vivo, administration of WIN resulted in a reduction in the tumor growth rate compared to control (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe following study provides evidence supporting the use of WIN as a novel therapeutic for prostate cancer.
Structural determination of archaeal UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 4‐epimerase from Methanobrevibacter ruminantium M1 in complex with the bacterial cell wall intermediate UDP‐N‐acetylmuramic acid
Authors: Carbone Vincenzo , Schofield Linley R. , Sang Carrie , Sutherland‐Smith Andrew J. , Ronimus Ron S. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe crystal structure of UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 4‐epimerase (UDP‐GlcNAc 4‐epimerase; WbpP; EC 5.1.3.7), from the archaeal methanogen Methanobrevibacter ruminantium strain M1, was determined to a resolution of 1.65 Å. The structure, with a single monomer in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, contained a conserved N‐terminal Rossmann‐fold for nucleotide binding and an active site positioned in the C‐terminus. UDP‐GlcNAc 4‐epimerase is a member of the short‐chain dehydrogenases/reductases superfamily, sharing sequence motifs and structural elements characteristic of this family of oxidoreductases and bacterial 4‐epimerases. The protein was co‐crystallized with coenzyme NADH and UDP‐N‐acetylmuramic acid, the latter an unintended inclusion and well known product of the bacterial enzyme MurB and a critical intermediate for bacterial cell wall synthesis. This is a non‐native UDP sugar amongst archaea and was most likely incorporated from the E. coli expression host during purification of the recombinant enzyme.
Synthesis and bioactivity studies of sex pheromone analogs of the diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Wang An‐jia , Zhang Kai‐Xin , Gao Yu‐lin , Weng Ai‐zhen , Wang Liu‐yang , Zhang Yun‐hui , Zhang Zhi , She Dong‐mei , Ning Jun , Mei Xiang‐dong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDDiamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., is a very important pest of cruciferous vegetables causing excessive economic losses worldwide. Bioactivities of halo‐, diazo‐, and cyclopropane acetates of P. xylostella sex pheromone have been evaluated using electrophysiology and enzyme inhibition assays.RESULTSA total of 23 sex pheromone analogs of P. xylostella were designed and synthesized and the result shows that (11Z)‐hexadec‐11‐en‐1‐yl 2,2,2‐trifluoroacetate, (11Z)‐hexadec‐11‐en‐1‐yl 2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluoropropanoate, and (11Z)‐hexadec‐11‐en‐1‐yl trifluoromethanesulfonate elicited potential inhibitory effects at all doses tested in the electrophysiology and enzyme inhibition assays. Interference of locating the sex pheromone source was found strongest when these three analogs were mixed with the sex pheromone at a 10:1 ratio. In addition, field test showed that the rate of mating disruption was over 90% when (11Z)‐hexadec‐11‐en‐1‐yl 2,2,2‐trifluoroacetate or (11Z)‐hexadec‐11‐en‐1‐yl 2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluoropropanoate was mixed with the sex pheromone at a 10:1 ratio.CONCLUSIONTwo sex pheromone antagonists were screen out by electrophysiology, enzyme inhibition assays, wind tunnel and field tests. We believe that these antagonists could be used to establish a novel eco‐friendly measure to control P. xylostella and provide evidence for clarifying the specific functions and molecular mechanisms of sex pheromone antagonists. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Discovery of highly insecticidal synthetic spinosyn mimics – CAMD enabled de novo design simplifying a complex natural product
Authors: Sparks Thomas C , Crouse Gary D , Demeter David A , Samaritoni Geno , McLeod Casandra L 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSimplifying complex natural products: Computer modeling‐based design leads to highly insecticidal, chemically simpler synthetic mimics of the spinosyn natural products that are active in the field. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Fitness costs of Vip3A resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda on different hosts
Authors: Chen Xuan , Head Graham P , Price Paula , Kerns David L , Rice Marlin E , Huang Fangneng , Gilreath Ryan T , Yang Fei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major target pest of the Vip3A protein. The fitness of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)‐resistant insects on refuges is an important factor in determining the speed of resistance development. Fitness costs associated with Bt resistance can vary among host plants. Here, we provide the first experimental evaluation of the interactions between non‐Bt hosts and fitness costs of Vip3A resistance in S. frugiperda.RESULTSLaboratory bioassays showed that survivorship, pupal weight, sex ratio, developmental time, fecundity, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic rate were not different among Vip3A‐resistant (RR), ‐susceptible (SS) and ‐heterozygous (R♂S♀ and R♀S♂) strains of S. frugiperda on non‐Bt corn, non‐Bt cotton, and non‐Bt diet. R♂S♀ and R♀S♂ also showed no differences on sorghum relative to SS. However, compared to SS, RR on sorghum showed significant reduction in pupal weight, and took longer time to develop to pupa and adult.CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that recessive fitness costs of reduced pupal weight and growth rate were detected at the individual level in the Vip3A resistant populations of S. frugiperda on sorghum. However, at the population level in terms of net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate, fitness costs of Vip3A resistance was not evident in S. frugiperda. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploiting low complex digital predistortion to improve wideband nonlinear satellite downlinks
Authors: Hu Xin , Liu Zhijun , Liu Ting , Wang Weidong 
Published: September 2018

SummaryWith the increasing demand for higher data rate, increasing throughput requires wider bandwidth. Due to the nonlinear effect of power amplifier, severe nonlinear distortion effects will appear onboard satellite. Digital predistortion (DPD) scheme is usually employed to compensate for the distortions and memory effects introduced by traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) and output multiplexing filter (OMUX). In conventional predistorter, the signal loss of band‐limited feedback signal output through OMUX is usually ignored. Actually, it will affect the linear effect of TWTA. In order to solve the problem as to improve wideband nonlinear satellite downlink, this paper introduces a novel spectral extrapolation method based on deep neural network to recover the band‐limited feedback signal. On this basis, an advanced orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm is adopted in the nonlinear TWTA model construction to further reduce the DPD complexity. The proposed setup effectively compensates the distortions and is well suited for systems that generate data bits on satellites.
Electrochemical Properties of the Graphite Electrode after Electrochemical Exfoliation and its Application as a Substrate for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Gao Mingming , Wang Xiaodan , Zaheer Afzal Muhammad , Wang Shuguang , Wang Xin‐hua 
Published: September 2018

AbstractElectrochemical exfoliation is an environmentally friendly method to obtained high quality graphene, while the graphite after exfoliation could also behave as a graphene modified graphite electrode. In this study, a graphene layer/graphite plate (GL/GP) electrode obtained by electrochemical exfoliation provided a special surface with enhanced hydrophilicity, improved electron transfer rate, and more electrochemical active sites. The surface characteristics of GL/GP electrodes were visually investigated with the formation and distribution of polyaniline (PANI). When the GL/GP electrode was used as a supporter to fabricate a Pt modified GL/GP electrode (Pt‐GL/GP electrode), it favored the HER activity of modified Pt. The surface density of Pt loading on the Pt‐GL/GP electrode was lower than commercial Pt/C (wt. 20%) by one order of magnitude. In addition, the enhanced hydrophilicity of the GL/GP electrode was beneficial for hydrogen bubbles escaping from its surface. GL/GP electrodes could potentially be an environmentally friendly and commercially attractive substrate to fabricating new electrocatalysts.
Co3O4 Nanoparticles Anchored on Selectively Oxidized Graphene Flakes as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reactions
Authors: Araújo Mariana P. , Nunes Marta , Rocha Inês M. , Pereira M. F. R. , Freire Cristina 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHerein, we report the preparation of Co3O4 nanoparticles anchored on the surface of selectively oxidized graphene flakes with KMnO4 and O3 ‐ Co3O4@GF_KMnO4 and Co3O4@GF_O3 nanocomposites ‐ and the study of their electrocatalytic performance towards the oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). Both nanocomposites displayed ORR and OER electrocatalytic activity in alkaline medium. For ORR, onset potentials of 0.79 V and 0.82 V vs. RHE were achieved for Co3O4@GF_ KMnO4 and Co3O4@GF_O3, respectively. Both nanocomposites presented excellent tolerance to methanol and, in the case of Co3O4@GF_O3, a superior long‐term stability with a current retention of 96.8% after 20 000 s. For OER, the overpotential was 0.44 and 0.45 V for Co3O4@GF_KMnO4 and Co3O4@GF_O3, respectively. Additionally, Co3O4@GF_O3 presented higher current densities, Faradaic efficiencies, and long‐term stability (current loss of 32% after 15 000 s). The superior bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalytic activity displayed by Co3O4@GF_O3 arises from the stronger chemical coupling between Co3O4 nanoparticles and specific oxygen surface groups of GF_O3 flakes.