bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Light Absorption and Charge Transfer Efficiency in Carbon Dots through Graphitization and Core Nitrogen Doping
Authors: Martindale Benjamin C. M. , Hutton Georgina A. M. , Caputo Christine A. , Prantl Sebastian , Godin Robert , Durrant James R. , Reisner Erwin 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSingle‐source precursor syntheses have been devised for the preparation of structurally similar graphitic carbon dots (CDs), with (g‐N‐CD) and without (g‐CD) core nitrogen doping for artificial photosynthesis. An order of magnitude improvement has been realized in the rate of solar (AM1.5G) H2 evolution using g‐N‐CD (7950 μmolH2 (gCD)−1 h−1) compared to undoped CDs. All graphitized CDs show significantly enhanced light absorption compared to amorphous CDs (a‐CD) yet undoped g‐CD display limited photosensitizer ability due to low extraction of photogenerated charges. Transient absorption spectroscopy showed that nitrogen doping in g‐N‐CD increases the efficiency of hole scavenging by the electron donor and thereby significantly extends the lifetime of the photogenerated electrons. Thus, nitrogen doping allows the high absorption coefficient of graphitic CDs to be translated into high charge extraction for efficient photocatalysis.
Inhibiting Polysulfide Shuttle in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries through Low‐Ion‐Pairing Salts and a Triflamide Solvent
Authors: Shyamsunder Abhinandan , Beichel Witali , Klose Petra , Pang Quan , Scherer Harald , Hoffmann Anke , Murphy Graham K. , Krossing Ingo , Nazar Linda F. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe step‐change in gravimetric energy density needed for electrochemical energy storage devices to power unmanned autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and enable low‐cost clean grid storage is unlikely to be provided by conventional lithium ion batteries. Lithium–sulfur batteries comprising lightweight elements provide a promising alternative, but the associated polysulfide shuttle in typical ether‐based electrolytes generates loss in capacity and low coulombic efficiency. The first new electrolyte based on a unique combination of a relatively hydrophobic sulfonamide solvent and a low ion‐pairing salt, which inhibits the polysulfide shuttle, is presented. This system behaves as a sparingly solvating electrolyte at slightly elevated temperatures, where it sustains reversible capacities as high as 1200–1500 mAh g−1 over a wide range of current density (2C–C/5, respectively) when paired with a lithium metal anode, with a coulombic efficiency of >99.7 % in the absence of LiNO3 additive.
Manganese(I)‐Catalyzed Regioselective C−H Allenylation: Direct Access to 2‐Allenylindoles
Authors: Lu Qingquan , Greßies Steffen , Klauck Felix J. R. , Glorius Frank 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA MnI‐catalyzed regioselective C−H allenylation is reported that allows a broad range of 2‐allenylindoles to be synthesized regioselectively on a gram scale under simple conditions. Notably, a highly efficient chirality transfer was observed (up to 93 % ee) in this transformation. This procedure was further found to allow, for the first time, the direct preparation of ketones by MnI‐catalyzed C−H activation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the precoordination of the oxygen atom to the manganese center as well as the congested tertiary carbon atom in the propargylic carbonates play a crucial role.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of 3‐Arylindoles from N‐Ts‐Anilines and Styrenes
Authors: Youn So Won , Ko Tae Yun , Jang Young Ho 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA Pd‐catalyzed intermolecular oxidative annulation between N‐Ts‐anilines and styrenes was developed. This method offers a straightforward and robust approach to a wide range of 3‐arylindoles using readily available starting materials with good functional‐group tolerance and high regioselectivity and efficiency. Further elaboration of the products obtained from this process provided access to highly functionalized and structurally diverse indoles, for example, 3‐(indol‐3‐yl)carbazoles, 1,9‐dihydropyrrolo‐[2,3‐b]carbazoles, and 3′‐aryl‐3,5′‐biindoles.
Ion‐Tagged Oligonucleotides Coupled with a Magnetic Liquid Support for the Sequence‐Specific Capture of DNA
Authors: Clark Kevin D. , Varona Marcelino , Anderson Jared L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe isolation of specific nucleic acid sequences is a major bottleneck in molecular diagnostics. Magnetic beads/particles are typically used as solid supports for the capture of DNA targets to improve sample throughput but aggregate over time resulting in lower capture efficiency and obstruction of liquid handling devices. Herein, we describe a particle‐free approach to sequence‐specific DNA extraction using a magnetic liquid support and ion‐tagged oligonucleotide (ITO) probes. ITO conjugates were synthesized with the highest yields ever achieved for the radical thiol‐ene coupling of a substrate and oligonucleotide. In addition to distinguishing nucleotide mismatches, the ITO and magnetic liquid‐based approach was more sensitive than a commercial magnetic bead‐based method for the capture of target DNA from a pool of interfering genomic DNA.
Efficient Generation of Lactic Acid from Glycerol over a Ru‐Zn‐CuI/Hydroxyapatite Catalyst
Authors: Jiang Zhiwei , Zhang Zhanrong , Wu Tianbin , Zhang Pei , Song Jinliang , Xie Chao , Han Buxing 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe biodiesel production process generates a significant amount of glycerol as a byproduct. A drive to add value has attracted worldwide attention, with the aim of improving the overall effectiveness and profitability of biodiesel production. Herein, we report hydroxyapatite (HAP)‐supported Ru‐Zn‐CuI (Ru‐Zn‐CuI/HAP) as effective catalysts for the transformation of glycerol to lactic acid (LA).The catalysts were characterized by using different techniques. The effects of catalyst composition, reaction time, and temperature on the conversion and product distribution were investigated. It was revealed that Ru nanoparticles of less than 2 nm were dispersed uniformly on HAP. CuI could effectively inhibit the cleavage of C−C bonds, which led to improved yields of LA. Under optimized conditions, the yield of LA could reach 70.9 % over Ru‐Zn‐CuI/HAP. Furthermore, the catalyst could be reused at least four times without an obvious loss of activity or selectivity.
Abdominal Wall Defects in Greenland 1989–2015
Authors: Bugge Merete , Drachmann Gitte , Kern Peder , Budtz–Jørgensen Esben , Eiberg Hans , Olsen Britta , Tommerup Niels , Nielsen Inge‐Merete 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundIn the last decades, an increasing rate of gastroschisis but not of omphalocele has been reported worldwide. Greenland is the world's largest island, but 80% is covered by an ice cap, it has a small population of around 56,000 peoples (as of 2016). The occurrence of abdominal wall defects has never been investigated in Greenland.MethodsThe present study is based on data retrieved from three nationwide and two local registries in the Greenlandic health care system over 27 years (1989–2015).ResultsWe identified 33 infants with abdominal wall defects born in the study time period. All cases were reclassified to 28 cases of gastroschisis, four cases of omphalocele, and there was 1 infant in the indeterminate group. The point prevalence at birth for gastroschisis increased significantly from 8 to 35 (average 10.7) per 10,000 liveborn and ‐stillborn infants. Mothers below 20 years of age represented 23% of all cases and the prevalence for this group was 17 per 10,000 liveborn and stillborn. Perinatal mortality for infants with gastroschisis was high (18%), and 1 year survival was 71%. For omphalocele, the prevalence varied from 8 to 11 per 10,000 liveborn and stillborn infants. There was no increasing rate in the period, further highlighting an etiological difference between gastroschisis and omphalocele.ConclusionThis study confirms the increasing prevalence of gastroschisis in Greenland in the period from 1989 to 2015. The average was 10.7 per 10,000 liveborn and ‐stillborn infants and, to the best of our knowledge, this is the highest prevalence ever reported. Birth Defects Research 109:836–842, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel Xp22.13 microdeletion in Nance‐Horan syndrome
Authors: Accogli Andrea , Traverso Monica , Madia Francesca , Bellini Tommaso , Vari Maria Stella , Pinto Francesca , Capra Valeria 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundNance‐Horan syndrome (NHS) is a rare X‐linked developmental disorder characterized by congenital cataract, dental anomalies and facial dysmorphisms. Notably, up to 30% of NHS patients have intellectual disability and a few patients have been reported to have congenital cardiac defects. Nance‐Horan syndrome is caused by mutations in the NHS gene that is highly expressed in the midbrain, retina, lens, tooth, and is conserved across vertebrate species. Although most pathogenic mutations are nonsense mutations, a few genomic rearrangements involving NHS locus have been reported, suggesting a possible pathogenic role of the flanking genes.MethodsHere, we report a microdeletion of 170,6 Kb at Xp22.13 (17.733.948‐17.904.576) (GRCh37/hg19), detected by array‐based comparative genomic hybridization in an Italian boy with NHS syndrome.ResultsThe microdeletion harbors the NHS, SCLML1, and RAI2 genes and results in a phenotype consistent with NSH syndrome and developmental delay.ConclusionWe compare our case with the previous Xp22.13 microdeletions and discuss the possible pathogenetic role of the flanking genes. Birth Defects Research 109:866–868, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alanine scan of the opioid peptide dynorphin B amide
Authors: Joshi Anand A. , Murray Thomas F. , Aldrich Jane V. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTo date structure‐activity relationship (SAR) studies of the dynorphins (Dyn), endogenous peptides for kappa opioid receptors (KOR), have focused almost exclusively on Dyn A with minimal studies on Dyn B. While both Dyn A and Dyn B have identical N‐terminal sequences, their C‐terminal sequences differ, which could result in differences in pharmacological activity. We performed an alanine scan of the non‐glycine residues up through residue 11 of Dyn B amide to explore the roles of these side chains in the activity of Dyn B. The analogs were synthesized by fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)‐based solid phase peptide synthesis and evaluated for their opioid receptor affinities and opioid potency and efficacy at KOR. Similar to Dyn A the N‐terminal Tyr1 and Phe4 residues of Dyn B amide are critical for opioid receptor affinity and KOR agonist potency. The basic residues Arg6 and Arg7 contribute to the KOR affinity and agonist potency of Dyn B amide, while Lys10 contributes to the opioid receptor affinity, but not KOR agonist potency, of this peptide. Comparison to the Ala analogs of Dyn A (1–13) suggests that the basic residues in the C‐terminus of both peptides contribute to KOR binding, but differences in their relative positions may contribute to the different pharmacological profiles of Dyn A and Dyn B. The other unique C‐terminal residues in Dyn B amide also appear to influence the relative affinity of this peptide for KOR versus mu and delta opioid receptors. This SAR information may be applied in the design of new Dyn B analogs that could be useful pharmacological tools.
Engineering Brevibacterium flavum for the production of renewable bioenergy: C4–C5 advanced alcohols
Authors: Su HaiFeng , Lin JiaFu , Wang YuanHong , Chen Qiao , Wang GuangWei , Tan FuRong 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTBiosynthesis of advanced biofuels by engineered non‐natural microorganisms has been proposed to be the most promising approach for the replacement of dwindling fossil fuel resources. Brevibacterium flavum (Bf) is a model brevibacterium aerobe which lacks basic and applied research that could enable this species to produce biofuels. There are no reports regarding engineering this microorganism to produce advanced alcohols before. Here, for the first time, we developed the bacterium as a novel biosynthetic platform for advanced alcohols production via the mutagenesis and engineering to produce 2‐ketoacids derived alcohols. In order to enhance the strain's capability of producing advanced alcohols, we preferentially improved intrinsic metabolism ability of the strain to obtain improved expression host (IEH) via generating mutagenesis libraries by whole cell mutagenesis (WCM). The IEH was determined via screening out the mutant strain with the highest production of branched‐chain organic acids (BCOA) using high throughput screening method.. Subsequently, a novel vector system for Bf was established, and the corresponding biosynthetic pathway of directing carbon flux into the target advanced alcohols was recruited to make the bacterium possess the capability of producing advanced alcohols and further enhance the production using the IEH. Specifically, we generated bioengineered strains that were able to synthesize up to the highest 5362 and 4976 mg/L isobutanol, 1945 and 1747 mg/L 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol (2 MB), and 785.34 and 781 mg/L 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol (3 MB) from pure glucose and duckweed substrates, respectively. Our findings confirmed the feasibility and potential of using Bf as a novel biosynthetic platform to generate advanced biofuels with glucose and inexpensive renewable feedstock‐duckweed as a fermentation substrate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1946–1958. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrafiltration behavior of monoclonal antibodies and Fc‐fusion proteins: Effects of physical properties
Authors: Baek Youngbin , Singh Nripen , Arunkumar Abhiram , Borys Michael , Li Zheng J. , Zydney Andrew L. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTUltrafiltration (UF) is used for the final concentration and formulation of essentially all antibody‐based therapeutics including both monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and Fc‐fusion proteins. The objective of this study was to quantitatively compare the filtrate flux behavior for two highly purified mAbs and an Fc‐fusion protein under identical flow and buffer conditions. Filtrate flux data were obtained using a Pellicon 3 tangential flow filtration cassette over a wide range of transmembrane pressures and bulk protein concentrations. Independent experimental measurements were performed to evaluate the protein osmotic pressure and solution viscosity. The maximum achievable protein concentration was directly correlated with the solution viscosity, which controls the pressure drop and extent of back‐filtration in the cassette. The filtrate flux data were analyzed using a recently developed model that accounts for the effects of intermolecular interactions and transmembrane pressure gradients on the extent of concentration polarization. These results provide important insights into the factors controlling the filtrate flux during the UF of concentrated protein solutions and an effective framework for the design/analysis of UF processes for the formulation of antibody‐based therapeutics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2057–2065. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Casting epPCR (cepPCR): A simple random mutagenesis method to generate high quality mutant libraries
Authors: Yang Jianhua , Ruff Anna J. , Arlt Marcus , Schwaneberg Ulrich 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTDuring the last decade, directed evolution has become a standard protein engineering strategy to reengineer proteins for industrial applications under high stress conditions (e.g., high temperature, extreme pH, ionic liquids, or organic solvents). The most commonly employed method for diversity generation to improve biocatalysts for these properties is random mutagenesis by error‐prone polymerase chain reaction (epPCR). However, recent reports show that epPCR often fails to produce >70% of beneficial positions/amino acid exchanges which improve enzyme properties such as organic solvent or ionic liquid resistance. In this report, bsla (543 bp, small lipase gene from Bacillus subtilis) was divided into three fragments (147, 192, 204 bp). Each fragment was subjected to an epPCR with a high mutation load (22, 31, and 33 mutations per kb) in order to increase the number of identified beneficial positions while maintaining a fraction of active population which can efficiently be screened in agar plate or microtiter plate format. The use of this “casting epPCR” process termed as (cepPCR), doubles the number of identified beneficial positions (from 14% to 29%), when compared to standard epPCR for the BSLA enzyme model. A further increase to 39% of beneficial positions is obtainable through combination of cepPCR with the transversion biased sequence saturation mutagenesis (SeSaM) method. Furthermore, sequencing of up to 600 mutations per fragment provided valuable insights into the correlation of total throughput and number of identified beneficial positions as well as how an efficient balance of screening efforts to obtainable results can be achieved in directed evolution campaigns. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1921–1927. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long noncoding RNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and suicide risk in Chinese patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Cui Xuelian , Niu Wei , Kong Lingming , He Mingjun , Jiang Kunhong , Chen Shengdong , Zhong Aifang , Li Wanshuai , Lu Jim , Zhang Liyi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundWHO stated that nearly one million people commit suicide every year worldly, and 40% of the suicide completer suffered from depression. The primary aim of this study was to explore the association between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and suicide risk of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsUsing Human LncRNA 3.0 microarray profiling which includes 30,586 human lncRNAs and RT‐PCR, six down‐regulated lncRNAs were identified differentially expressed in MDD patients. According to suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt, the suicide risk of MDD patients was classified into suicidal ideation versus no suicidal ideation groups, and past attempt versus no past attempt groups, respectively. The expression of six lncRNAs in MDD patients and controls were examined by RT‐PCR.ResultsThe expression of six lncRNAs had significant differences between no suicidal ideation, suicidal ideation, and controls; corresponding lncRNAs associated with suicidal attempt had remarkable differences between no past attempt, past attempt, and controls. Additionally, only the expression of lncRNAs in suicidal ideation group and past attempt group markedly declined compared with controls.ConclusionsThis study indicated that the expression of six down‐regulated lncRNAs had a negative association with suicide risk in MDD patients, and the expression of lncRNAs in PBMCs could have the potential to help clinician judge the suicide risk of MDD patients to provide timely treatment and prevent suicide.
Abnormal amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations and functional connectivity of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with leukoaraiosis
Authors: Cheng Rongchuan , Qi Honglin , Liu Yong , Zhao Shifu , Li Chuanming , Liu Chen , Zheng Jian 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the cerebral function deficits in patients with leukoaraiosis (LA) and the correlation with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) using functional MRI (fMRI) technology.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐eight patients with LA and 30 volunteers were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent structural MRI and resting‐state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI) scanning. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of rs‐fMRI signals for the two groups was compared using two‐sample t tests. A one‐sample t test was performed on the individual z‐value maps to identify the functional connectivity of each group. The z values were compared between the two groups using a two‐sample t test. Partial correlations between ALFF values and functional connectivity of the brain regions that showed group differences and Fazekas scores of the WMH were analyzed.ResultsCompared with the control group, the LA group showed a significant decrease in the ALFF in the left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) and an increased ALFF in the left inferior semi‐lunar lobule and right superior orbital frontal gyrus (SOFG). The patients with LA showed an increased functional connectivity between the right insular region and the right SOFG and between the right calcarine cortex and the left PHG. After the effects of age, gender, and years of education were corrected as covariates, the functional connectivity strength of the right insular and the right SOFG showed close correlations with the Fazekas scores.ConclusionOur results enhance the understanding of the pathomechanism of LA. Leukoaraiosis is associated with widespread cerebral function deficits, which show a close correlation with WMH and can be measured by rs‐fMRI.
Negative emotion evoked by viewing snakes has a motivating effect on cognitive processing in human children with or without intellectual disability
Authors: Masataka Nobuo 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundIt is well known that prioritization of the processing of threatening stimuli generally induces deleterious effects on task performance. However, a study recently reported that emotion (possibly fear) evoked by viewing images of snakes exerts a facilitating effect upon making judgments of the images’ color in neurotypical adults and schoolchildren. Here, the author has attempted to confirm the relevance of this notion in children with and without intellectual disability.MethodsThe author here compared the reaction time required to name the colors of snake and flower images between children with Down syndrome (DS) and mental age matched, typically‐developing (TD) children.ResultsSnake images were responded to faster than flower images in both the groups, while the children with DS tended to respond more slowly overall.ConclusionsAs in TD children, negative emotion can have a motivating effect on cognitive processing in children with DS. Some implications of the findings are pointed out with respect to the lower‐level task persistence as a characteristic motivational orientation in children with DS.
Elevated expression of Tie1 is accompanied by acquisition of cancer stemness properties in colorectal cancer
Authors: Torigata Miku , Yamakawa Daishi , Takakura Nobuyuki 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe Tie receptors 1 and 2 (Tie1/2) play crucial roles in embryonic angiogenesis. Recent studies suggest enhanced expression of Tie1 in several types of cancer and negative correlations between Tie1 levels and clinical outcome. These observations suggest important functions of Tie1 not only for vascular formation but also in tumorigenesis. Ligands for Tie2, that is angiopoietins 1‐4, have been identified, but not for Tie1. To determine the molecular functions of Tie1, its detailed characterization in tumors would be helpful. Herein, we report that Tie1 is up‐regulated in colorectal cancer. Detailed analysis using tumor‐bearing models and immunohistochemistry combined with Flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting (FACS) revealed that Tie1 protein was expressed in a small population of malignant tumor cells. Intriguingly, Tie1 expression was observed and could be maintained only in vivo. Further analysis using sphere‐formation culture revealed that Tie1‐positive cells are enriched within the population of tumor cells with cancer stemness properties. Indeed, Tie1‐positive tumor cells derived from a murine model overexpressed Lgr5, a typical stemness marker for colorectal cancer. Our results provide a novel insight into Tie1 function in tumorigenesis and suggest clinical applications to target cancer stem cells.