bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liquid‐crystalline and photo‐induced properties of P4VP quaternized with bromo derivative of dialkyloxy‐phenyleneazobenzene groups
Authors: de Santiago‐Solís Christyan , Rodríguez‐González Rosa Julia , Larios‐López Leticia , Torres‐Rocha Olga Lidia , Felix‐Serrano Isaura , Martínez‐Ponce Geminiano , Navarro‐Rodríguez Dámaso 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTPoly(4‐vinylpyridine) was partially (20% and 50%) and fully (100%) quaternized with a bromo‐terminated 4,4′‐dialkyloxy‐substituted cyanophenyleneazobenzene group (Azo‐Br). The resulting liquid crystal azopolymers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) to determine their thermotropic behavior. They showed only a smectic phase that extends over a broad temperature range. The smectic period was found to correspond to a double layer stacking where the pendant groups (mesogens) are partially interpenetrated. On the other hand, the azopolymers were irradiated (UV‐vis wavelengths) to induce trans‐to‐cis conversion (photoisomerization), molecular alignment (birefringence), and mass migration (surface relief gratings). Results showed the lowest trans‐to‐cis photo conversion for the polymer with the highest content (100%) of chromophore units, and it was simply attributed to constrains arising from their close packing. On the contrary, this polymer showed the highest birefringence value suggesting a coordinated motion of the tightly held chromophore units at the smectic domains, as it was indeed reported for other photo‐active liquid crystal azopolymers. Finally, surface relief gratings, having a sinusoidal profile with regular periodicity, were registered. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44819.
Performance evaluation and antifouling analyses of cellulose acetate/nanodiamond nanocomposite membranes in water treatment
Authors: Etemadi Habib , Yegani Reza , Babaeipour Valiollah 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIn this study, nanocomposite membranes based on cellulose acetate (CA) and nanodiamond (ND) were prepared by applying phase inversion methods. In order to achieve efficient dispersion and more hydrophilic NDs, they were functionalized via heat treatment (ND‐COOH). The prepared nanocomposite membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle, porosity measurement, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance techniques. Furthermore, the governing fouling mechanisms were determined by using classic models as well as combined fouling models. Moreover, the effect of precoagulation with polyaluminum chloride (PAC) on the humic acid (HA) filtration was investigated. The obtained results showed that in the presence of ND‐COOH, the abrasion resistance of nanocomposite CA membrane was three times higher than that of pristine CA membrane. Besides, the nanocomposite membranes with 0.5 wt % of raw and functionalized ND exhibited excellent hydrophilicity and PWF. The analysis of fouling mechanism based on Hermia's model revealed that the cake formation is prevailing mechanism for CA and CA/ND (0.5 wt %) membranes while for CA/ND‐COOH (0.5 wt %) membrane, experimental results are fitted by combined cake filtration‐complete blocking (CFCB) model. It confirms that pretreatment with PAC can significantly mitigate fouling and improve HA removal. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44873.
Development of an Efficient G‐Quadruplex‐Stabilised Thrombin‐Binding Aptamer Containing a Three‐Carbon Spacer Molecule
Authors: Aaldering Lukas J. , Poongavanam Vasanthanathan , Langkjær Niels , Murugan N. Arul , Jørgensen Per Trolle , Wengel Jesper , Veedu Rakesh N. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe thrombin‐binding aptamer (TBA), which shows anticoagulant properties, is one of the most studied G‐quadruplex‐forming aptamers. In this study, we investigated the impact of different chemical modifications such as a three‐carbon spacer (spacer‐C3), unlocked nucleic acid (UNA) and 3′‐amino‐modified UNA (amino‐UNA) on the structural dynamics and stability of TBA. All three modifications were incorporated at three different loop positions (T3, T7, T12) of the TBA G‐quadruplex structure to result in a series of TBA variants and their stability was studied by thermal denaturation; folding was studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy and thrombin clotting time. The results showed that spacer‐C3 introduction at the T7 loop position (TBA‐SP7) significantly improved stability and thrombin clotting time while maintaining a similar binding affinity as TBA to thrombin. Detailed molecular modelling experiments provided novel insights into the experimental observations, further supporting the efficacy of TBA‐SP7. The results of this study could provide valuable information for future designs of TBA analogues with superior thrombin inhibition properties.
Potential role of tracing stem cell transplantation and effects on the immune cell function of ferumoxytol combining with heparin and protamine in vivo/in vitro
Authors: Zhao Jingyuan , Guan Xin , Liu Yang , Piao Hua , Liu Rutao , Zhou Xiang , Sun Bo , Du Yue , Liu Jing 
Published: February 2017

AbstractCell labeling and tracing have played an increasingly important role in the field of stem cell transplantation. Nanocomplexes combining three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved drugs: heparin (H), protamine (P), and ferumoxytol (F) (HPF nanocomplexes) display high labeling efficiency in human adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (hADSCs), but their biological safety has not been determined. In this study, we tested the labeling efficiency of HPF in hADSCs through in vitro cytotoxicity studies and in vivo murine preclinical studies using HPF‐labeled hADSCs. The labeling process did not cause cell apoptosis and had little effect on cell proliferation. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the HPF‐labeled cells produced a hypointense signal that did not affect liver and kidney functions. However, after injection of HPF‐labeled cells into mice, lymphocyte transformation testing showed that T and B lymphocyte proliferation was significantly increased. These findings suggest that extensive safety testing of HPF nanocomplexes is necessary; the process to evaluate HPF as an investigative new drug application could therefore be postponed.
Total Synthesis and Stereochemical Assignment of Actinoranone
Authors: Guo Yi‐an , Zhao Meng , Xu Zhengshuang , Ye Tao 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe total synthesis of four actinoranone stereoisomers led to unambiguous assignment of relative and absolute stereochemistry of the natural product. Key features of the convergent, fully stereocontrolled route include the use of a Negishi carbozirconation/iodination, a Friedel–Crafts cyclization, a Felkin‐controlled addition reaction, a Mitsunobu reaction, and a late‐stage C−H oxidation.
Post‐relapse outcomes after primary extended resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma: A report from the Trans‐Atlantic RPS Working Group
Authors: MacNeill Andrea J. , Miceli Rosalba , Strauss Dirk C. , Bonvalot Sylvie , Hohenberger Peter , Van Coevorden Frits , Rutkowski Piotr , Callegaro Dario , Hayes Andrew J. , Honoré Charles , Fairweather Mark , Cannell Amanda , Jakob Jens , Haas Rick L. , Szacht Milena , Fiore Marco , Casali Paolo G. , Pollock Raphael E. , Raut Chandrajit P. , Gronchi Alessandro , Swallow Carol J. 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDDespite a radical surgical approach to primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS), many patients experience locoregional and/or distant recurrence. The objective of this study was to analyze post‐relapse outcomes for patients with RPS who had initially undergone surgical resection of their primary tumor at a specialist center.METHODSAll consecutive patients who underwent macroscopically complete resection for primary RPS at 8 high volume centers from January 2002 to December 2011 were identified, and those who developed local recurrence (LR) only, distant metastasis (DM) only, or synchronous local recurrence and distant metastasis (LR+DM) during the follow‐up period were included. Overall survival (OS) was calculated for all groups, as was the crude cumulative incidence of a second recurrence after the first LR. Multivariate analyses for OS were performed.RESULTSIn an initial series of 1007 patients with primary RPS, 408 patients developed recurrent disease during the follow‐up period. The median follow‐up from the time of recurrence was 41 months. The median OS was 33 months after LR (n = 219), 25 months after DM (n = 146), and 12 months after LR+DM (n = 43), and the 5‐year OS rates were 29%, 20%, and 14%, respectively. Predictors of OS after LR were the time interval to LR and resection of LR, while histologic grade approached significance. For DM, significant predictors of OS were the time interval to DM and histologic subtype. The subgroup of patients who underwent resection of recurrent disease had a longer median OS than patients who did not undergo resection.CONCLUSIONSRelapse of RPS portends high disease‐specific mortality. Patients with locally recurrent or metastatic disease should be considered for resection. Cancer 2017;123:1971–1978. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Non‐Gradient Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Luo Xiaoting , Wu Jinzi , Jin Zhen , Yan Liang‐Jun 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGradient blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) is a well established and widely used technique for activity analysis of high‐molecular‐weight proteins, protein complexes, and protein‐protein interactions. Since its inception in the early 1990s, a variety of minor modifications have been made to this gradient gel analytical method. Here we provide a major modification of the method, which we call non‐gradient BN‐PAGE. The procedure, similar to that of non‐gradient SDS‐PAGE, is simple because there is no expensive gradient maker involved. The non‐gradient BN‐PAGE protocols presented herein provide guidelines on the analysis of mitochondrial protein complexes, in particular, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) and those in the electron transport chain. Protocols for the analysis of blood esterases or mitochondrial esterases are also presented. The non‐gradient BN‐PAGE method may be tailored for analysis of specific proteins according to their molecular weight regardless of whether the target proteins are hydrophobic or hydrophilic. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Xenopus, an ideal model organism to study laterality in conjoined twins
Authors: Tisler Matthias , Schweickert Axel , Blum Martin 
Published: January 2017

AbstractConjoined twins occur at low frequency in all vertebrates including humans. Many twins fused at the chest or abdomen display a very peculiar laterality defect: while the left twin is normal with respect to asymmetric organ morphogenesis and placement (situs solitus), the organ situs is randomized in right twins. Although this phenomenon has fascinated already some of the founders of experimental embryology in the 19th and early 20th century, such as Dareste, Fol, Warynsky and Spemann, its embryological basis has remained enigmatic. Here we summarize historical experiments and interpretations as well as current models, argue that the frog Xenopus is the only vertebrate model organism to tackle the issue, and outline suitable experiments to address the question of twin laterality in the context of cilia‐based symmetry breakage.
Probing the biology of cell boundary conditions through confinement of Xenopus cell‐free cytoplasmic extracts
Authors: Bermudez Jessica G. , Chen Hui , Einstein Lily C. , Good Matthew C. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractCell‐free cytoplasmic extracts prepared from Xenopus eggs and embryos have for decades provided a biochemical system with which to interrogate complex cell biological processes in vitro. Recently, the application of microfabrication and microfluidic strategies in biology has narrowed the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies by enabling formation of cell‐size compartments containing functional cytoplasm. These approaches provide numerous advantages over traditional biochemical experiments performed in a test tube. Most notably, the cell‐free cytoplasm is confined using a two‐ or three‐dimensional boundary, which mimics the natural configuration of a cell. This strategy enables characterization of the spatial organization of a cell, and the role that boundaries play in regulating intracellular assembly and function. In this review, we describe the marriage of Xenopus cell‐free cytoplasm and confinement technologies to generate synthetic cell‐like systems, the recent biological insights they have enabled, and the promise they hold for future scientific discovery.
Diet of generalist predators reflects effects of cropping period and farming system on extra‐ and intraguild prey
Authors: Roubinet Eve , Birkhofer Klaus , Malsher Gerard , Staudacher Karin , Ekbom Barbara , Traugott Michael , Jonsson Mattias 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe suppression of agricultural pests by natural enemies, including generalist arthropod predators, is an economically important regulating ecosystem service. Besides pests, generalist predators may also consume non‐pest extraguild and intraguild prey, which can affect their impact on pest populations. This may either reduce the impact of generalist predators on pest populations, because they are diverted from pest predation, or increase it, as it helps them survive periods of low pest availability. However, the availability of pest prey and alternative, non‐pest prey can vary over the crop growing season and between farming systems, potentially affecting predator–prey interactions and the levels of biological control. We have limited information about how farming systems and environmental variation over the crop growing season influence predator diets. This limits our ability to predict the importance of generalist predators as natural enemies of agricultural pests. Here we utilize molecular gut content analyses to assess detection frequencies of extra‐ and intraguild prey DNA in generalist predator communities in replicated organically and conventionally managed cereal fields at two key periods of the cropping season for aphid biological control. This is done in order to understand how farming system, crop season, prey availability and predator community composition determine the composition of predator diets. Aphid pests and decomposers (springtails) were equally important prey for generalist predators early in the growing season. Later in the season, the importance of aphid prey increased with increasing aphid densities while springtail predation rates were positively correlated to abundance of this prey at both early and late crop growth stages. Intraguild predation was unidirectional: carabids fed on spiders, whereas spiders rarely fed on carabids. Carabids had higher detection frequencies for the two most common spider families in organically compared to conventionally managed fields. Our study documents that predation by generalist predator communities on aphid pests increases with pest numbers independently of their generally widespread consumption of alternative, non‐pest prey. Therefore, conservation strategies in agricultural fields could promote biological control services by promoting high levels of alternative non‐pest prey for generalist predator communities.
Population‐based cost‐offset analyses for disorder‐specific treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in Germany
Authors: Bode Katharina , Götz von Olenhusen Nina Maria , Wunsch Eva‐Maria , Kliem Sören , Kröger Christoph 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPrevious research has shown that anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are expensive illnesses to treat. To reduce their economic burden, adequate interventions need to be established. Our objective was to conduct cost‐offset analyses for evidence‐based treatment of eating disorders using outcome data from a psychotherapy trial involving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and focal psychodynamic therapy (FPT) for AN and a trial involving CBT for BN. Assuming a currently running, ideal healthcare system using a 12‐month, prevalence‐based approach and varying the willingness to participate in treatment, we investigated whether the potential financial benefits of AN‐ and BN‐related treatment outweigh the therapy costs at the population level. We elaborated on a formula that allows calculating cost‐benefit relationships whereby the calculation of the parameters is based on estimates from data of health institutions within the German healthcare system. Additional intangible benefits were calculated with the aid of Quality‐Adjusted Life Years. The annual costs of an untreated eating disorder were 2.38 billion EUR for AN and 617.69 million EUR for BN. Independent of the willingness to participate in treatment, the cost‐benefit relationships for the treatment remained constant at 2.51 (CBT) and 2.33 (FPT) for AN and 4.05 (CBT) for BN. This consistency implies that for each EUR invested in the treatment, between 2.33 and 4.05 EUR could be saved each year. Our findings suggest that the implementation of evidence‐based psychotherapy treatments for AN and BN may achieve substantial cost savings at the population level.
Regional‐scale extremes in river discharge and localised spawning stock abundance influence recruitment dynamics of a threatened freshwater fish
Authors: Tonkin Zeb , Kearns Joanne , Lyon Jarod , Balcombe Stephen R. , King Alison J. , Bond Nick R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHighly variable recruitment is common for many riverine fish species, governed by a wide range of biotic and abiotic drivers that operate at local and regional scales. The dynamics and drivers of recruitment for many Australian freshwater fish species, particularly those that are rare and long‐lived, are relatively undescribed. This study describes the recruitment dynamics of an endangered riverine fish, Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica, across 5 isolated populations from southeastern Australia, and relates these dynamics to drivers that vary at local and regional scales. We hypothesised large flow events occurring during the core egg, and larval period would be negatively associated with recruitment strength and that recruitment patterns across populations would fluctuate in synchrony in response to extremes in river discharge resulting from regional‐scale climatic patterns.Discharge during the core egg and larval period, which was highly correlated across the region, and a local‐scale variable, spawning stock abundance, were the covariates most important in explaining recruitment strength. We also observed synchronised patterns in recruitment across our populations, thus conforming to predictions of the Moran effect (environmental synchrony). The findings suggest that most remnant populations of Macquarie perch, which are now predominantly isolated within small tributary systems characterised by highly variable flows, face a heightened risk of poor recruitment periods, particularly under climate change predictions. The synchronised patterns in recruitment suggest that threatened freshwater fishes such as Macquarie perch with highly fragmented isolated populations have an increased risk of the regional population becoming imperilled, thus the need for a coordinated multijurisdictional conservation approach.
The intrahippocampal kainate mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: Lack of electrographic seizure‐like events in sham controls
Authors: Twele Friederike , Schidlitzki Alina , Töllner Kathrin , Löscher Wolfgang 
Published: January 2017

SummaryObjectiveThere is an ongoing debate about definition of seizures in experimental models of acquired epilepsy and how important adequate sham controls are in this respect. For instance, several mouse and rat strains exhibit high‐voltage rhythmic spike or spike‐wave discharges in the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG), which has to be considered when using such strains for induction of epilepsy by status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury, or other means. Mice developing spontaneous recurrent nonconvulsive and convulsive seizures after intrahippocampal injection of kainate are increasingly being used as a model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. We performed a prospective study in which EEG alterations occurring in this model were compared with the EEGs in appropriate sham controls, using hippocampal electrodes and video‐EEG monitoring.MethodsExperiments with intrahippocampal kainate (or saline) injections started when mice were about 8 weeks of age. Continuous video‐EEG recording via hippocampal electrodes was performed 6 weeks after surgery in kainate‐injected mice and sham controls, that is, at an age of about 14 weeks. Three days of continuous video‐EEG monitoring were compared between kainate‐injected mice and experimental controls.ResultsAs reported previously, kainate‐injected mice exhibited two types of highly frequent electrographic seizures: high‐voltage sharp waves, which were often monomorphic, and polymorphic hippocampal paroxysmal discharges. In addition, generalized convulsive clinical seizures were infrequently observed. None of these electrographic or electroclinical seizures were observed in sham controls. The only infrequently observed EEG abnormalities in sham controls were isolated spikes or spike clusters, which were also recorded in epileptic mice.SignificanceThis study rigorously demonstrates, by explicit comparison with the EEGs of sham controls, that the nonconvulsive paroxysmal events observed in this model are consequences of the induced epilepsy and not features of the EEG expected to be seen in some experimental control mice or unintentionally induced by surgical procedures.
Steady‐state Semi‐empirical Model of a Single Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) at Varying Operating Conditions
Authors: Labach I. , Rallières O. , Turpin C. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to develop a physically‐based macroscopic steady‐state model predicting the performances of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) at various operating conditions. The model is mostly mechanistic: the equation for the V–I curves holds 7 parameters, 6 of which have a physical significance. This work aims to quantify the main voltage losses (namely activation, ohmic and mass‐transport) thanks to their respective sensitivity to the operating variables. The model parameters are here obtained by fitting a set of 16 experimental V–I curves. First a full factorial plan of experiments is carried out on a single cell to characterize the influence of four factors: temperature, pressure, air relative humidity and stoichiometry. Polarization curves are measured by current steps; at the end of each step, a high‐frequency electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is achieved in order to extract the ohmic resistance. Cyclic voltammetries are also performed to measure hydrogen crossover. Then the whole experimental database constituted is used to parameterize the theoretical equation of the V–I curve. The maximal relative error between data and fit is 8.2% and the average relative error is 1%. The prediction capability of the single cell model is finally evaluated on three polarization curves.