bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elution–extrusion countercurrent chromatography separation of six pairs of isomeric iridoids from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. guided by ion current extraction in mass spectrometry
Authors: Liang Jinru , Sun Wenji 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA mass spectrometry–guided elution–extrusion countercurrent chromatography protocol was developed to separate chemical components from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. In this study, ion current extraction, a mass spectrometry–based data postacquisition method, was utilized to boost the separation power and scope of countercurrent chromatography technique. As a peak repicking and denoising tool, ion current extraction was carried out to process the liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and the countercurrent chromatography with mass spectrometry data. So the target components were reacquired in the created extracted ion current patterns with enhanced responses and diminished background noise, which facilitated the distribution constant determination (by liquid chromatography with extracted ion current) and the targets fractionation (by countercurrent chromatography with extracted ion current). Under the guidance of the extracted ion currents of the target components and with the support of elution–extrusion mode in the countercurrent chromatography separation, six pairs of minor iridoid isomers were obtained in shortened experimental duration. Besides, a reciprocal shifted symmetry plot was established to represent the elution–extrusion countercurrent chromatography chromatogram. The results demonstrated the capability of the ion current extraction–guided elution–extrusion countercurrent chromatography protocol in discovery, analysis, and fractionation of low‐concentration and structurally similar chemicals from a complicated sample.
Large Area, Highly Transparent, and Mechanically Stable Adhesive Films with Tunable Refractive Indices
Authors: Wang Dan , Zhang Jianfu , He Yuanyuan , Li Wenfei , Li Shitao , Fu Xiuhua , Tian Ming , Zhou Yang , Yao Zhanhai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOptical bonding with both excellent mechanical and optical properties is highly desirable for many advanced optical device applications. This paper presents a facile method for fabricating large‐area, highly transparent, and mechanically stable adhesive films with a tunable refractive index (RI) by the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly of cationic branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) and an anionic blend of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(4‐styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies indicate that the resulting (PEI/PAA–PSS)*n adhesive films with n PEI/PAA–PSS deposition layers are smooth and homogeneous. A satisfactory bonding strength is demonstrated for both two‐sided and one‐sided bonding methods, which provide a bonding strength greater than 5.71 ± 0.71 MPa. A linearly tunable RI from 1.5410 to 1.5792 is achieved with a transparency greater than 94% in the visible region. Moreover, the preparation and debonding of adhesive films can be conducted in water, which is convenient and environmentally friendly.
Improving Photovoltaic Performance of a Fused‐Ring Azepinedione Copolymer via a D–A–A Design
Authors: Zhang Honghong , Li Ting , Xiao Zuo , Lei Zhongli , Ding Liming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTwo conjugated copolymer donors, PTTABDT and PBTTABDT, based on a fused‐ring azepinedione acceptor unit, 5‐(2‐octyldodecyl)‐4H‐thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2‐c]thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐e]azepine‐4,6(5H)‐dione (TTA), are prepared. PTTABDT possesses a conventional donor–acceptor (D–A) structure with one TTA in the repeat unit, while PBTTABDT has a D–A–A structure with two TTAs in the repeat unit. Compared with PTTABDT, PBTTABDT shows a deeper highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level, a narrower bandgap, and a higher hole mobility, and exhibits better performance in bulk heterojunction solar cells. Power conversion efficiencies of 6.18% and 7.81% are achieved from PTTABDT:PC71BM and PBTTABDT:PC71BM solar cells, respectively. The higher performance of PBTTABDT:PC71BM solar cells results from the enhanced open‐circuit voltage (V
oc) and short‐circuit current density (  J
sc).
Performance of the Movement Disorders Society criteria for prodromal Parkinson's disease: A population‐based 10‐year study
Authors: Mahlknecht Philipp , Gasperi Arno , Djamshidian Atbin , Kiechl Stefan , Stockner Heike , Willeit Peter , Willeit Johann , Rungger Gregorio , Poewe Werner , Seppi Klaus 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTObjective: We aimed to identify prodromal Parkinson's disease (PD) and its predictive accuracy for incident PD in an unselected elderly population and to estimate the relevance of this approach for future neuroprotection trials.Methods: We applied the recently published Movement Disorders Society (MDS) research criteria for prodromal PD to participants of the prospective population‐based Bruneck Study of the 2005 assessment (n = 574, ages 55‐94 years). Cases of incident PD were identified at 3‐year, 5‐year, and 10‐year follow‐up visits. We calculated predictive accuracies of baseline prodromal PD status for incident cases, and, based on them, estimated sample sizes for neuroprotection trials with conversion to PD as the primary outcome.Results: Baseline status of probable prodromal PD (n = 12) had a specificity in predicting incident PD of 98.8% (95% confidence interval, 97.3%‐99.5%), a sensitivity of 66.7% (29.6%‐90.8%), and a positive predictive value of 40.0% (16.7%‐68.8%) over 3 years. Specificity remained stable with increasing follow‐up time, sensitivity decreased to 54.6% (28.0%‐78.8%) over 5 years and to 35.0% (18.0%‐56.8%) over 10 years, whereas positive predictive value rose to 60.0% (31.2%‐83.3%) and 77.8% (44.3%‐94.7%), respectively. Sample size estimates at 80% power in an intention‐to‐treat approach ranged from 108 to 540 patients with probable prodromal PD depending on trial duration (3‐5 years) and effect size of the agent (30%‐50%).Conclusions: Our findings show that the MDS criteria for prodromal PD yield moderate to high predictive power for incident PD in a community‐based setting and may thus be helpful to define target populations of future neuroprotection trials. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Placental perfusion imaging using velocity‐selective arterial spin labeling
Authors: Zun Zungho , Limperopoulos Catherine 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe placenta remains the least understood human organ, in large part because of the lack of noninvasive tools currently available to examine placental function in vivo. This study investigates the feasibility of using velocity‐selective arterial spin labeling (VSASL) to assess placental perfusion.MethodsIn placental perfusion imaging, VSASL was compared with pseudocontinuous ASL (PCASL), which is currently the standard technique in brain arterial spin labeling (ASL). Reproducibility of placental VSASL was evaluated using two repeated scans within the same imaging session. Inflow dependence of placental VSASL was investigated by modulating VSASL signal using maternal inhalation of 100% oxygen and variation of cut‐off velocity. All experiments were performed in healthy pregnant volunteers at 1.5 Tesla.ResultsApparent placental perfusion measured using PCASL with two different labeling locations was only 16% and 9% of that of VSASL (n = 7; P < 0.01 for both). Placental VSASL was highly reproducible based on within‐subject coefficient of variation of 3.5%, repeatability of 19.7 mL/100 g/min, and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.97 (n = 14). Placental VSASL was also found to be dependent on blood inflow given that the absolute change in apparent placental perfusion with maternal hyperoxia was significantly larger than that of two repeated scans under normoxia (n = 7; P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference in apparent placental perfusion between different cut‐off velocities (n = 6; P < 0.01).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the feasibility of noninvasive placental perfusion imaging using VSASL and lays the groundwork for acquiring placental perfusion images in pregnancies at high risk where placental function is impaired.
Demonstration of improved tissue integration and angiogenesis with an elastic, estradiol releasing polyurethane material designed for use in pelvic floor repair
Authors: Shafaat Sarah , Mangir Naside , Regureos Sabiniano R. , Chapple Christopher R. , MacNeil Sheila 
Published: February 2018

AimsPelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence affect 40‐50% of postmenopausal women worldwide. Polypropylene meshes have been extensively used for the surgical intervention of these disorders; however, these meshes can lead to severe complications in some patients. The need for synthetic materials more suited for use in pelvic floor repair is widely accepted. This study aims to develop an electrospun 17‐β‐estradiol releasing polyurethane (PU) scaffold that not only provides the appropriate mechanical support but can also stimulate new extracellular matrix (ECM) production and angiogenesis.MethodsPU scaffolds with and without 17‐β‐estradiol (25 and 50 mg/g) were prepared by blend electrospinning. Mechanical properties of scaffolds were assessed by uniaxial cyclic and non‐cyclic testing. The viability and ECM production of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) cultured on 17‐β‐estradiol releasing PU scaffolds was evaluated. Angiogenic potential of estradiol releasing scaffolds was demonstrated by using an ex ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.ResultsThe inclusion of estradiol in PU scaffolds did not change the ultrastructure but it significantly increased the ultimate tensile strength of scaffolds. hADMSCs on estradiol‐releasing PU scaffolds showed more ECM production. The CAM assay revealed a significantly higher angiogenic potential of estradiol‐releasing PU scaffolds with an additive effect seen when hADMSCs cultured on estradiol scaffolds. Histological examination of CAM tissue sections showed extensive cellular infiltration and a good tissue integration for all constructed scaffolds.ConclusionsThis study shows the angiogenic potential of estradiol‐releasing PU scaffolds with appropriate strength and elasticity desirable to support the pelvic floor.
Cortical structural involvement and cognitive dysfunction in early Parkinson's disease
Authors: Klein J.C. , Rolinski M. , Griffanti L. , Szewczyk‐Krolikowski K. , Baig F. , Ruffmann C. , Groves A.R. , Menke R.A.L. , Hu M.T. , Mackay C. 
Published: February 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in early Parkinson's disease (PD) have shown promise in the detection of disease‐related brain changes in the white and deep grey matter. We set out to establish whether intrinsic cortical involvement in early PD can be detected with quantitative MRI. We collected a rich, multi‐modal dataset, including diffusion MRI, T1 relaxometry and cortical morphometry, in 20 patients with early PD (disease duration, 1.9 ± 0.97 years, Hoehn & Yahr 1–2) and in 19 matched controls. The cortex was reconstructed using FreeSurfer. Data analysis employed linked independent component analysis (ICA), a novel data‐driven technique that allows for data fusion and extraction of multi‐modal components before further analysis. For comparison, we performed standard uni‐modal analysis with a general linear model (GLM). Linked ICA detected multi‐modal cortical changes in early PD (p = 0.015). These comprised fractional anisotropy reduction in dorsolateral prefrontal, cingulate and premotor cortex and the superior parietal lobule, mean diffusivity increase in the mesolimbic, somatosensory and superior parietal cortex, sparse diffusivity decrease in lateral parietal and right prefrontal cortex, and sparse changes to the cortex area. In PD, the amount of cortical dysintegrity correlated with diminished cognitive performance. Importantly, uni‐modal analysis detected no significant group difference on any imaging modality. We detected microstructural cortical pathology in early PD using a data‐driven, multi‐modal approach. This pathology is correlated with diminished cognitive performance. Our results indicate that early degenerative processes leave an MRI signature in the cortex of patients with early PD. The cortical imaging findings are behaviourally meaningful and provide a link between cognitive status and microstructural cortical pathology in patients with early PD.
Toxic stress and protective factors in multi‐ethnic school age children: A research protocol
Authors: Condon Eileen M. , Sadler Lois S. , Mayes Linda C. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTExposure to stressful environments in early childhood can cause a toxic stress response and lead to poor health outcomes, including obesity, cardiac disease, diabetes, and mental illness. In animals and maltreated children, the presence of a nurturing caregiver can buffer against the physiological disruptions associated with a toxic stress response; however, the specific caregiver and parenting characteristics that best promote a protective relationship in humans remain largely unexplored, particularly in families living in high‐risk environments. In this study, framed in an ecobiodevelopmental (EBD) model, a cross‐sectional design is being used to study 54 multi‐ethnic, urban maternal‐child dyads with children at early school age (4–9 years). Mothers’ past experiences, mental health, and caregiving patterns and children's hair cortisol, C‐reactive protein, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, blood pressure, BMI, behavior, and school performance are being analyzed to identify maternal characteristics that may protect against children's toxic stress response in families at high risk for exposure to stressors such as poverty, trauma, or exposure to violence.
The diabetes drug liraglutide reverses cognitive impairment in mice and attenuates insulin receptor and synaptic pathology in a non‐human primate model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Batista Andre F , Forny‐Germano Leticia , Clarke Julia R , Lyra e Silva Natalia M , Brito‐Moreira Jordano , Boehnke Susan E , Winterborn Andrew , Coe Brian C , Lablans Ann , Vital Juliana F , Marques Suelen A , Martinez Ana MB , Gralle Matthias , Holscher Christian , Klein William L , Houzel Jean‐Christophe , Ferreira Sergio T , Munoz Douglas P , De Felice Fernanda G 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder that still lacks an effective treatment, and this has stimulated an intense pursuit of disease‐modifying therapeutics. Given the increasingly recognized link between AD and defective brain insulin signaling, we investigated the actions of liraglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analog marketed for treatment of type 2 diabetes, in experimental models of AD. Insulin receptor pathology is an important feature of AD brains that impairs the neuroprotective actions of central insulin signaling. Here, we show that liraglutide prevented the loss of brain insulin receptors and synapses, and reversed memory impairment induced by AD‐linked amyloid‐β oligomers (AβOs) in mice. Using hippocampal neuronal cultures, we determined that the mechanism of neuroprotection by liraglutide involves activation of the PKA signaling pathway. Infusion of AβOs into the lateral cerebral ventricle of non‐human primates (NHPs) led to marked loss of insulin receptors and synapses in brain regions related to memory. Systemic treatment of NHPs with liraglutide provided partial protection, decreasing AD‐related insulin receptor, synaptic, and tau pathology in specific brain regions. Synapse damage and elimination are amongst the earliest known pathological changes and the best correlates of memory impairment in AD. The results illuminate mechanisms of neuroprotection by liraglutide, and indicate that GLP‐1 receptor activation may be harnessed to protect brain insulin receptors and synapses in AD. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Spatial aspects of oncogenic signalling determine the response to combination therapy in slice explants from Kras‐driven lung tumours
Authors: Närhi Katja , Nagaraj Ashwini S , Parri Elina , Turkki Riku , van Duijn Petra W , Hemmes Annabrita , Lahtela Jenni , Uotinen Virva , Mäyränpää Mikko I , Salmenkivi Kaisa , Räsänen Jari , Linder Nina , Trapman Jan , Rannikko Antti , Kallioniemi Olli , Af Hällström Taija M , Lundin Johan , Sommergruber Wolfgang , Anders Simon , Verschuren Emmy W 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA key question in precision medicine is how functional heterogeneity in solid tumours informs therapeutic sensitivity. We demonstrate that spatial characteristics of oncogenic signalling and therapy response can be modelled in precision‐cut slices from Kras‐driven non‐small‐cell lung cancer with varying histopathologies. Unexpectedly, profiling of in situ tumours demonstrated that signalling stratifies mostly according to histopathology, showing enhanced AKT and SRC activity in adenosquamous carcinoma, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in adenocarcinoma. In addition, high intertumour and intratumour variability was detected, particularly of MAPK and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 activity. Using short‐term treatment of slice explants, we showed that cytotoxic responses to combination MAPK and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase–mTOR inhibition correlate with the spatially defined activities of both pathways. Thus, whereas genetic drivers determine histopathology spectra, histopathology‐associated and spatially variable signalling activities determine drug sensitivity. Our study is in support of spatial aspects of signalling heterogeneity being considered in clinical diagnostic settings, particularly to guide the selection of drug combinations. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Peptides with regularly alternating enantiomeric sequence: From ion channel models to bioinspired nanotechnological applications
Authors: Novelli Federica , De Santis Serena , Morosetti Stefano , Titubante Mattia , Masci Giancarlo , Scipioni Anita 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPeptides are versatile building blocks that have been extensively used as peptide‐based organizers to generate bioinspired hybrid materials. Among them, those peptides characterized by regularly alternating enantiomeric sequences (l,d‐peptides) have attracted much interest. Their structures, which are not accessible to the corresponding homochiral peptides, have been exploited to achieve hybrid conjugates, the chemical and structural properties of which can be predetermined by correct design. Molecules that self‐assemble into hollow tubular architectures with side chains on the outer surface can form, allowing the introduction of new functionalities on amino acid residues containing reactive side chains. This provides an effective strategy to develop engineered nanotubes with the surface suitably tuned for applications in different fields, spanning from electronics to medicine.
Using item response theory to describe the Nonverbal Literacy Assessment (NVLA)
Authors: Fleming Danielle , Wilson Mark , Ahlgrim‐Delzell Lynn 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Nonverbal Literacy Assessment (NVLA) is a literacy assessment designed for students with significant intellectual disabilities. The 218‐item test was initially examined using confirmatory factor analysis. This method showed that the test worked as expected, but the items loaded onto a single factor. This article uses item response theory to investigate the NVLA using Rasch models. First, we reduced the number of items using a unidimensional model, which resulted in high levels of test reliability despite decreasing the number of questions, providing the same information about student abilities in less time. Second, the multidimensional analysis indicated that it is possible to view the NVLA as a test with four dimensions, resulting in more detailed information about student abilities. Finally, we combined these approaches to obtain both specificity and brevity, with a four‐dimensional model using 133 items from the original NVLA.
Pharmacoproteomics Profile in Response to Acamprosate Treatment of an Alcoholism Animal Model
Authors: Germany Caroline E. , Reker Ashlie N. , Hinton David J. , Oliveros Alfredo , Shen Xinggui , Andres‐Beck Lindsey G. , Wininger Katheryn M. , Trutschl Marjan , Cvek Urska , Choi Doo‐Sup , Nam Hyung W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAcamprosate is an FDA‐approved medication for the treatment of alcoholism that is unfortunately only effective in certain patients. Although acamprosate is known to stabilize the hyper‐glutamatergic state in alcoholism, pharmacological mechanisms of action in brain tissue remains unknown. To investigate the mechanism of acamprosate efficacy, the authors employ a pharmacoproteomics approach using an animal model of alcoholism, type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT1) null mice. The results demonstrate that acamprosate treatment significantly decreased both ethanol drinking and preference in ENT1 null mice compared to that of wild‐type mice. Then, to elucidate acamprosate efficacy mechanism in ENT1 null mice, the authors utilize label‐free quantification proteomics comparing both genotype and acamprosate treatment effects in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). A total of 1040 protein expression changes are identified in the NAc among 3634 total proteins detected. The proteomics and Western blot result demonstrate that acamprosate treatment decreased EAAT expression implicating stabilization of the hyper‐glutamatergic condition in ENT1 null mice. Pathway analysis suggests that acamprosate treatment in ENT1 null mice seems to rescue glutamate toxicity through restoring of RTN4 and NF‐κB medicated neuroimmune signaling compared to wild‐type mice. Overall, pharmacoproteomics approaches suggest that neuroimmune restoration is a potential efficacy mechanism in the acamprosate treatment of certain sub‐populations of alcohol dependent subjects.
SILAC Expands its Territory to the Pathogenic Yeast, Candida albicans
Authors: Jang Wooyoung Eric , Kim Min‐Sik 
Published: February 2018

AbstractQuantitative proteomic analysis using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), as metabolic labeling with MS, has been used as an excellent technique to measure relative abundance change in proteins and post‐transitional modifications. Since its development in 2002, SILAC has proven to have unique and specific advantage compared to other labeling methods such as Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and Tandem Mass Tag (TMT). However, SILAC has limitations in its application to human tissue/organ samples and some types of unicellular organisms that convert supplemented heavy amino acids to others. In this issue, Kaneva et al. (Proteomics 2018, 18, 1700278) introduces a new application of SILAC to a pathogen, which allows quantitative proteomics analysis to be performed without the need of arginine auxotrophs for SILAC experiment. In fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans and other yeast family, arginine metabolism is one of the factors that helps pathogen escape host's defenses. This prevents arginine auxotrophs from being used in C. albicans research and limits SILAC‐based MS method as a choice of quantitation. However, possibilities for quantitative proteomic analysis of a pathogenic yeast C. albicans using SILAC has now opened by Kaneva et al.