bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequential extraction methods applied to Piper hispidinervum: An improvement in the processing of natural products
Authors: Rossa Guilherme E. , Almeida Rafael N. , Vargas Rubem Mário Figueiró , Cassel Eduardo , Moyna Guillermo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe Piperaceae family is represented by herbaceous plants, shrubs, and, more rarely, trees. Among the aromatic varieties of this genus, Piper hispidinervum C. DC. stands out. In this work, volatile and non‐volatile extracts from P. hispidinervum were obtained through the application of sequential extraction methods. The results of steam distillation experiments indicated that optimal conditions were achieved when the extractions were conducted at 101 kPa and an initial bed porosity of 0.91. Chemical analysis showed that safrole is the major component present in the essential oil. NMR analysis revealed the presence of 6‐methoxy eugenol for P. hispidinervum extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction using water as co‐solvent at 20 MPa and 313.15 K. Mathematical models adjusted well to the experimental data in all conditions investigated. The methodology proposed represents an improvement in the processing of natural products, since the same material is submitted to different technologies, obtaining different compounds with distinct properties.
Development and Applications of Patient‐Derived Xenograft Models in Humanized Mice for Oncology and Immune‐Oncology Drug Discovery
Authors: Verma Bhavna , Ritchie Michael , Mancini Maria 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWith the recent approval of four novel immune oncology agents for the treatment of various cancers, the emerging power of this drug class has been substantiated. However, the full potential of such agents is yet to be realized, with only a fraction of the patient population responding to these drugs. A more advanced pre‐clinical and translational research platform may increase our understanding of the mechanisms associated with immune‐mediated cancer cell death, thereby facilitating the design and development of more generally efficacious agents and drug regimens. Described in this report are the nuances, advantages, and limitations of such a research approach. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rodent Test of Attention and Impulsivity: The 5‐Choice Serial Reaction Time Task
Authors: Higgins Guy A. , Silenieks Leo B. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe 5‐choice serial reaction time task (5‐CSRTT) is employed extensively to measure attention in rodents. The assay involves animals trained to respond to a brief, unpredictable visual stimulus presented in one of five locations. The effects of experimental manipulations on response speed and choice accuracy are measured, and each related to attentional performance. The 5‐CSRTT is also used to measure motor impulsivity. Adapted from a human task, the 5‐CSRTT can be employed with rodents or primates, highlighting its translational value. Another strength of this procedure is its adaptability to task modification. An example is the 5‐choice continuous performance task, which has both target and non‐target trial types. Overall, the 5‐CSRTT has proven to be valuable for drug discovery efforts aimed at identifying new agents for the treatment of central nervous system disorders and for further understanding the neurobiological processes of attention and impulsivity. Its flexibility offers considerable scope to the experimenter, and in this respect the task continues to evolve. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Situ‐Formed Hierarchical Metal–Organic Flexible Cathode for High‐Energy Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Ying , Fang Chun , Zeng Rui , Liu Yaojun , Zhang Wang , Wang Yanjie , Liu Qingju , Huang Yunhui 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMetal–organic compounds are a family of electrode materials with structural diversity and excellent thermal stability for rechargeable batteries. Here, we fabricated a hierarchical nanocomposite with metal–organic cuprous tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ) in a 3 D conductive carbon nanofibers (CNFs) network by in situ growth, and evaluated it as flexible cathode for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). CuTCNQ in such flexible composite electrode is able to exhibit a high capacity of 252 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and highly reversible stability for 1200 cycles within the voltage range of 2.5–4.1 V (vs. Na+/Na). A high specific energy of 762 Wh kg−1 was obtained with high average potential of 3.2 V (vs. Na+/Na). The in situ‐formed electroactive metal–organic composites with tailored nanoarchitecture provide a promising alternative choice for high‐performance cathode materials in SIBs with high energy.
Sensitive community responses of microbiota to copper in sediment toxicity test
Authors: Yang Jianghua , Xie Yuwei , Jeppe Katherine , Long Sara , Pettigrove Vincent , Zhang Xiaowei 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Sediment contamination is widespread and can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems and impair human health. Despite their significant ecological function, meio- and microbiota in aquatic ecosystems have been poorly studied in conventional sediment ecotoxicity tests because of the difficulty in sample collecting and identification. In the present study, a novel DNA metabarcoding method was used to assess the effects of spiked copper (Cu) on benthic eukaryotic and prokaryotic communities in laboratory sediment toxicity tests with macroinvertebrates, the chironomid Chironomus tepperi and the amphipod Austrochiltonia subtenuis. In addition to the obvious toxic effects to experimental animals, microbiota (bacteria, protists, algae, and fungi) were significantly altered by spiked Cu in the sediments. The phylogenetic diversity of eukaryotic communities was decreased after spiked-Cu exposure. Even a low–spiked Cu treatment (125 mg/kg) altered structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic communities in the amphipod experiment. The present study demonstrates that measuring microbiota communities will expand our understanding of the influences of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems. Particularly, the alterations of phylogenetic biodiversity of eukaryotic communities and the structure of sedimentary communities are sensitive indicators for sediment contamination, which can be incorporated in the monitoring and assessment of sediment quality. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:599–608. © 2017 SETAC
Construction of polylysine dendrimer nanocomposites carrying nattokinase and their application in thrombolysis
Authors: Wu Can , Gao Chunmei , Lü Shaoyu , Xu Xiubin , Wen Na , Zhang Shaofei , Liu Mingzhu 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThrombotic disease has become one of the leading causes of mortality among humans globally. Nattokinase (NK), a novel thrombolytic agent, has attracted the attention of researchers. However, NK is a serine protease that is vulnerable to environmental effects resulting in its inactivation. In this study, polylysine dendrimer (PLLD) was synthesized through divergence‐convergence method, and a series of NK/PLLD nanocomposites with different molar ratio was prepared. In addition, NK was successfully incorporated into the cores of PLLD G4 through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. In NK/PLLD nanocomposites, when the molar ratio of NK to PLLD is 1:30, a high relative enzyme activity level (up to 117%) was achieved and was more stable at different temperatures and pH than free NK. In in vitro thrombolysis experiment, compared with free NK, NK/PLLD nanocomposites could control the release of NK. The thrombolysis rate of NK/PLLD nanocomposites reached 50% at 12 h, which can effectively avoid other complications such as hemorrhage. Interestingly, NK/PLLD nanocomposites with positive charge can penetrate into the negatively charged thrombus through electrostatic interaction, thus providing a good thrombolytic effect. Hemolysis and MTT experiments show that PLLD nanomaterials can serve as ideal carriers of protein drugs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 440–449, 2018.
Targeted medical nutrition for cachexia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Calder Philip C. , Laviano Alessandro , Lonnqvist Fredrik , Muscaritoli Maurizio , Öhlander Maria , Schols Annemie 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundCachectic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may benefit from nutritional support. This double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of targeted medical nutrition (TMN) vs. an isocaloric comparator in pre‐cachectic and cachectic patients with COPD.MethodsPatients aged ≥50 years with moderate‐to‐severe COPD and involuntary weight loss or low body mass index (16–18 kg/m2) were randomized 1:1 to receive TMN (~230 kcal; 2 g omega‐3 fatty acids; 10 μg 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D3) or isocaloric comparator twice daily for 12 weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02442908). Primary safety endpoints comprised adverse events and changes in vital signs, laboratory parameters, and concomitant medications. Secondary efficacy endpoints included changes in weight, body composition, exercise tolerance, metabolic biomarkers, and systemic inflammation.ResultsForty‐five patients were randomized to receive TMN (n = 22; mean 69.2 years) or isocaloric comparator (n = 23; mean 69.7 years). TMN was well tolerated. Adverse events were similar in number and type in both groups. Compliance to both products was good (TMN, 79%; comparator, 77%). Both groups gained weight, but the TMN group gained comparatively more fat mass (P = 0.0013). Reductions in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0418) and secondary endpoints of triglycerides (P = 0.0217) and exercise‐induced fatigue (P = 0.0223) and dyspnoea (P = 0.0382), and increases in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.0254), were observed in the TMN vs. the comparator group by week 12.ConclusionsTargeted medical nutrition containing high‐dose omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and high‐quality protein is well tolerated with a good safety profile and has positive effects on blood pressure and blood lipids and on exercise‐induced fatigue and dyspnoea. Therefore, this TMN could be clinically beneficial in the nutritional and metabolic support of pre‐cachectic and cachectic patients with COPD.
CFD studies on hydrodynamic characteristics of shaking bioreactors with wide conical bottom
Authors: Lu Zhiming , Wang Kang , Jin Gaofeng , Huang Kang , Huang Jingfeng 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDDisposable bioreactors based on orbital shaking technology have been employed extensively for mammalian cell culture, which proved to be less expensive and more flexible compared with mechanical stirred‐tank bioreactors. However, it is difficult to evaluate flow parameters quantitatively since the flow field in bioreactors is complicated.RESULTSThe flow characteristics of shaking bioreactors with a wide conical bottom under different shaking frequencies and filling volumes were simulated by CFD method. The validity of the simulation model was investigated by comparing simulated free‐surface shapes and liquid levels with experimental results, and the CFD simulation results were shown to be in good agreement with experiment data.CONCLUSIONThe results show that: turbulence parameters (k and ϵ) increase with shaking frequency, while they decrease with filling volume proportionally; shaking frequency has no significant effect on specific gas–liquid interface area (a) but a positive effect on mass transfer coefficient (kL); the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) decreases with filling volume because of the combined effect of a and kL; the average shear strain rate (SSR) increases significantly with frequency, while it decreases with filling volume. Results also show that the SSR of shaking bioreactors is mainly distributed in low range which is acceptable for cell cultivation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Regional changes of precipitation and temperature over Bangladesh using bias‐corrected multi‐model ensemble projections considering high‐emission pathways
Authors: Fahad Md. Golam Rabbani , Saiful Islam A. K. M. , Nazari Rouzbeh , Alfi Hasan M. , Tarekul Islam G. M. , Bala Sujit Kumar 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTA multi‐model ensemble provides useful information about the uncertainty of the future changes of climate. High‐emission scenarios using representative concentration pathways (RCP8.5) of the Fifth Phase Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project (CMIP5) in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also aids to capture the possible extremity of the climate change. Using the CMIP5 regional climate modelling predictions, this study analyses the distribution of the temperature and precipitation in Bangladesh in the recent years (1971–2000) and in three future periods (2010–2040, 2041–2070 and 2070–2100) considering RCP8.5 scenarios. Climate changes are expressed in terms of 30‐year return values of annual near‐surface temperature and 24‐h precipitation amounts. At the end of the century, the mean temperature increase over Bangladesh among the 11 RCMs will vary from 5.77 to 3.24 °C. Spatial analysis of the 11 RCMs exhibited that the southwest and the south central parts of Bangladesh will experience a greater temperature rise in the future. Possible changes in rainfall are also exhibited both temporally and spatially. Based on the analysis of all the RCMs, a significant increase of rainfall in the pre‐ and post‐monsoon period is observed. It is also evident that monsoon rainfall will not increase in comparison with pre‐monsoon season. Zonal statistics of 64 districts of Bangladesh are also conducted for the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s to find out the most exposed regions in terms of the highest rise in temperature and changes in precipitation.
Effect of biomechanical stress on endogenous antioxidant networks in bovine articular cartilage
Authors: Issa Rita , Boeving Michael , Kinter Michael , Griffin Timothy M. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTMechanosensitve pathways in chondrocytes are essential for maintaining articular cartilage homeostasis. Traumatic loading increases cartilage oxidation and causes cell death and osteoarthritis. However, sub‐lethal doses of the pro‐oxidant molecule tert‐Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) protects against loading‐induced chondrocyte death. We hypothesized that compressive cyclic loading at moderate strains (<20%) causes sub‐lethal cartilage oxidation that induces an adaptive increase in the endogenous antioxidant defense network. We tested this hypothesis by subjecting healthy bovine articular cartilage explants to in vitro static or cyclic (1 Hz) compressive loading at 50 kPa (15% strain, “physiologic”) versus 300 kPa (40% strain, “hyper‐physiologic”) for 12 h per day for 2 days. We also treated unloaded explants with 100 μM tBHP for 12 h per day for 2 days to differentiate between biomechanical and chemical pro‐oxidant stimulation. All loading conditions induced glutathione oxidation relative to unloaded controls, but only the 50 kPa cyclic loading condition increased total glutathione content (twofold). This increase was associated with a greater expression of glutamate‐cysteine ligase, the rate‐limiting step in glutathione synthesis, compared to 300 kPa cyclic loading. 50 kPa cyclic loading also increased the expression of superoxide dismutase‐1 and peroxiredoxin‐3. Like 50 kPa loading, tBHP treatment also increased total glutathione content. However, tBHP treatment and 50 kPa cyclic loading differed in their effect on the expression of genes regulating antioxidant defense and cartilage matrix synthesis and degradation. These findings suggest that glutathione metabolism is a mechanosensitive antioxidant defense pathway in chondrocytes and that intermittent pro‐oxidant treatment alone is insufficient to account for all changes in mediators of cartilage homeostasis associated with cyclic loading. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:760–769, 2018.
Analysis of outcomes achieved with squamous cell carcinomas of the anus in a single university hospital over the last two decades: Clinical response rate, relapse and survival of 190 patients
Authors: Gravante Gianpiero , Stephenson James Andrew , Elshaer Mohamed , Osman Ahmed , Vasanthan Subramaniam , Mullineux Joseph H. , Gani Mohamed Akil Dilawar , Sharpe David , Yeung Justin , Norwood Michael , Miller Andrew , Boyle Kirsten , Hemingway David 
Published: September 2017

Background and ObjectivesWe reviewed our series of anal squamous cell carcinomas (ASCC) treated over the last two decades.MethodsASCC patients undergoing treatment at the Leicester Royal Infirmary between 1998 and 2016 were selected. Age, gender, pathological tumor characteristics, treatment adopted, the overall survival (OS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and disease‐free survival (DFS) at 5‐year follow‐up were recorded and calculated.ResultsA total of 190 ASCC were reviewed, of these 64.2% (n = 122) received primary radical chemoradiotherapy. Complete response rate was 92.6% (n = 113) and four patients with residual disease underwent a salvage APER. Twenty‐eight patients experienced recurrent disease (23.0%) either systemic (n = 8), local (n = 14), or both (n = 6); six had a salvage APER. Complete follow‐up data are available for 63.1% patients (77/122). Overall, the locoregional failure rate of primary chemoradiotherapy (residual + recurrent disease) was present in 29 patients (29/122; 23.8%). OS was 41.6% CSS was 69.2% and DFS 60.0% at 5 years follow‐up.ConclusionsIn our series of ASCC primary chemoradiotherapy had achieved significant initial complete response rates, however, long term‐follow ups still present systemic and local recurrences. APR is able to treat 30% of the pelvic recurrences (6/20), the others are either associated with systemic disease or locally inoperable masses.
Pyrogenic Carbon Contributes Substantially to Carbon Storage in Intact and Degraded Northern Peatlands
Authors: Leifeld Jens , Alewell Christine , Bader Cédric , Krüger Jan Paul , Mueller Carsten W. , Sommer Michael , Steffens Markus , Szidat Sönke 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPyrogenic carbon (PyC) derives from incomplete combustion of organic matter and is ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Most PyC is inherently more stable against decomposition than plant residues, and PyC therefore forms an important component of the global carbon (C) cycle. During the Holocene, about 436 Pg organic C accumulated in northern peatlands, and we hypothesize that PyC may contribute substantially to that C stock. We studied 70 samples from 19 intact and degraded European peatland sites and analyzed their PyC content by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling and peat age and accumulation by radiocarbon dating. Classification of a peatland as either intact or degraded was based on the comparison between apparent and expected long‐term C accumulation rates. On average, PyC amounted for 13·5% of soil C across sites, and accounted for up to 50% at single sites. The amount of PyC increased significantly with peat age. Degraded peatlands had lost approximately 56 kg C m−2, half of their former C stock. However, degraded peat had higher PyC contents than intact one. Selective enrichment of PyC during both peat build‐up and decomposition seems to be an important factor fostering PyC accumulation. Assignment of our results to peatlands of the northern hemisphere, stratified by age, revealed an estimated PyC stock of 62 (±22) Pg. Our estimate indicates a substantial and hitherto unquantified contribution of northern peatlands to global PyC storage. © 2017 The Authors. Land Degradation & Development Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Quasilinear Schrödinger equations with unbounded or decaying potentials
Authors: Severo Uberlandio B. , de Carvalho Gilson M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe study the existence of nonnegative and nonzero solutions for the following class of quasilinear Schrödinger equations:urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201600028:mana201600028-math-0001whereVandQare potentials that can be singular at the origin, unbounded or vanishing at infinity. In order to prove our existence result we used minimax techniques in a suitable weighted Orlicz space together with regularity arguments and we need to obtain a symmetric criticality type result.
Effect of cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery on lower urinary tract dysfunction in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Aruga Seiji , Kuwana Nobumasa , Shiroki Yoshiharu , Takahashi Shintaro , Samejima Naoyuki , Watanabe Akira , Seki Yojiro , Igawa Yasuhiko , Homma Yukio 
Published: September 2017

AimsTo examine the outcomes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamic test results after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).MethodsRecords of 48 patients (33 men; 15 women), who met the definite iNPH criteria and underwent CSF shunt surgery, were retrospectively analyzed. LUTS and their impact on quality of life (QOL) were evaluated using an all‐or‐none questionnaire targeting four symptoms, the Overactive Bladder Symptoms Score (OABSS), and the QOL index. Urodynamic investigations included filling cystometry and pressure‐flow studies performed before and after surgery.ResultsForty‐seven (98%) patients complained of LUTS, 41 (87%) patients of whom experienced LUTS improvement after surgery. The OABSS and QOL index, which before surgery were 6.8 ± 0.7 and 4.1 ± 0.4, respectively, significantly decreased to 4.6 ± 0.6 and 3.2 ± 0.3, respectively, after surgery. The maximum cystometric capacity (174.9 ± 13.3 mL to 222.4 ± 14.7 mL) and bladder compliance (35.8 ± 4.4 ml/cmH2O to 52.1 ± 5.4 ml/cmH2O) significantly increased after surgery. Detrusor overactivity, which was observed in 37 (77%) patients preoperatively, became undetectable in 7 patients postoperatively. Voiding dysfunction (defined as maximum flow rate <10 mL/s or post‐void residual >100 mL) was observed in 29 (60%) patients, 22 (75%) of whom had detrusor underactivity before surgery. None of the voiding urodynamic parameters significantly improved postoperatively.ConclusionsiNPH is often associated with LUTS and both storage and voiding dysfunctions. CSF shunt surgery improved LUTS and storage dysfunction, with limited effects on voiding dysfunction.
Explosion Performance of High‐Temperature Degraded Emulsion Explosives
Authors: Wang Fei , Ma Honghao , Shen Zhaowu 
Published: September 2017

AbstractExperiments were conducted to study the underwater explosion performance of emulsion explosives (EE) after hot water bath. Spherical charges of EE with different sensitizers and hot water bath were prepared and tested. As for as‐prepared charges, the detonation velocity experiments and underwater explosion experiments were carried out and the crystallization ratio was measured and calculated by the dissolution and neutralization method. The results showed an inverse relationship between explosion parameters (pressure peak, specific impulse, detonation velocity and specific total energy) and heating time. It also revealed that the effective explosive weight of EE was reduced with long time of hot water bath. Moreover, the crystallization ratio and the decreasing rate of explosion parameters of EE sensitized by NaNO2 were apparently higher than EE containing physical sensitizers (glass microballoon and perlite), which was attributed to the different destruction mechanism of EE. After 6‐hour hot water bath, the EE containing physical sensitizers still retained detonator sensitivity and more than 80 % of specific total energy. Meanwhile, the crystallization ratio was less than 20 %. Whereas, the EE sensitized by NaNO2 lost the detonator sensitivity and the crystallization ratio of EE was also above 40 %.