bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and cell cytotoxicity assessment of palmitoylated polyethylene glycol‐grafted chitosan as nanomicelle carrier for paclitaxel
Authors: Abbasi Sahar , Yousefi Gholamhossein , Firuzi Omidreza , Mohammadi‐Samani Soliman 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTAmphiphilic graft copolymers were synthesized using chitosan with varying substitution degrees of methoxy polyethylene glycol and palmitic acid. FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and elemental analysis showed successful chitosan modification. Amphiphilic copolymers are able to produce nano ssemblies with low critical micelle concentration (CMC). It was demonstrated that particle size (PS) analysis and drug solubilization methods could be used to determine CMC, beside fluorescent pyrene assay. Paclitaxel was efficiently loaded (up to 12.8%) without significant change in the nanomicelles’ PS. In addition, without significant change in size and loading, nanomicelles could be freeze‐dried. Hemolysis assay exhibited biocompatibility of copolymers and cell cytotoxicity assay on MCF‐7 cell line showing the encapsulated drug had a higher cytotoxic effect. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43233.
Simultaneous improvement in strength, toughness, and thermal stability of epoxy/halloysite nanotubes composites by interfacial modification
Authors: Sun Pan , Liu Guoming , Lv Dong , Dong Xia , Wu Jingshen , Wang Dujin 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThis work investigated the effect of silane modification of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on the mechanical properties of epoxy/HNTs nanocomposites. Three kinds of silane coupling agents, including 3‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPS), (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)‐trimethoxysilane (GPTMS), and octyltriethoxysilane (OTES), were employed. It was shown that the modified HNTs exhibited a better dispersion in the epoxy matrix compared with pristine one. Because of strong interfacial interaction between AEAPS modified HNTs and the epoxy matrix, the nanocomposites exhibited the highest glass transition temperature and modulus among all the samples. On the other hand, AEAPS and GPTMS modified HNTs/epoxy nanocomposites showed enhanced tensile strength and toughness. The toughing mechanisms were identified by the SEM micrographs of the fracture surfaces of the different kinds of samples. In this study, simultaneous enhancement of strength, toughness, and thermal stability of epoxy by the modified HNTs provides a novel approach to produce high‐performance thermosets. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43249.
Dynamic mechanical analysis of the multiple glass transitions of plasticized wheat gluten biopolymer
Authors: Duval Antoine , Molina‐Boisseau Sonia , Chirat Christine , Morel Marie-Hélène 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTGlass transition of thermo‐molded biomaterials made from wheat gluten and its main protein classes is studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The materials are plasticized with variable contents of glycerol (30–40 wt %) and water (0–20 wt %). For all materials, three successive relaxation phases are systematically detected. Their positions shift to lower temperature as the plasticizer content of materials increases. Composition in gluten, glycerol and water of each relaxation phase is estimated using the Couchman‐Karasz model. Irrespective of the plasticizer content or composition, the relaxation phases shows rather constant plasticizer volume fractions. The low‐, middle‐, and high relaxation phases include respectively around 30, 60 and 80 vol % of gluten protein. These relaxations are assigned to the segmental motion of the surface amino‐acid side groups, to the collective motion of packed gluten proteins, and to the gain in protein conformational mobility as a 2D network of interacting plasticizer molecules forms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43254.
Correlates of lake use by breeding common scoters in Scotland
Authors: Hancock Mark H. , Robson Hannah J. , Smith Trevor D. , Douse Andy 
Published: December 2015

Abstract1. Many populations of sea‐ducks, which typically winter at sea but breed on fresh water, are declining. Numbers of common scoters Melanitta nigra (L.) breeding in Scotland halved between 1995 and 2007, despite most breeding sites having special conservation status. To identify potential conservation measures, a 3‐year study was conducted, investigating correlates of lake use by scoters.2. At 26 scoter breeding lakes, food abundance (macroinvertebrates) and foraging habitats (substrates, water depth) were measured, and their associations with scoter lake use explored using multi‐model inference. Correlates of macroinvertebrate abundance (water quality, fish abundance) were also investigated.3. Averaged over 3 years (2009–2011), these lakes held 26.7 (SE 6.3) females, around half the Scottish breeding population. Scoters occurred more often at lakes having abundant large‐bodied invertebrates and extensive shallow water. Lakes where the average weight of the largest invertebrate in each sample exceeded 4 mg had 9.2 times (females) or 27 times (broods) more scoter records than other lakes. Lakes where water depths (10 m from the shore) averaged less than 1.3 m had 2.5 times (females) or 12 times (broods) more scoter records than other lakes.4. The abundance of large‐bodied invertebrates was greater where small fish species (mostly three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus) were more common and brown trout Salmo trutta were scarcer.5. Results suggest two approaches to scoter conservation. At lakes used for hydro‐electricity generation, water level regimes that provide extensive shallow water should be tested to see if these benefit scoters. At lakes used for trout fishing, trout reduction by increased angling should be trialled, to see if this increases large‐invertebrate abundance and scoter use. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Iron multiplets in meteor comas
Authors: Mozgova A. M. , Churyumov K. I. , Melnyk M. V. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we present a catalog of the iron multiplets which are observed in meteor spectra. It contains the energy levels terms (in eV) and wavelengths of spectral lines. Complete Grotrian diagrams are given if possible, which clearly explain the transitions belonging to a given multiplet. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Environmental dependence of stellar mass and stellar velocity dispersion of CMASS galaxies
Authors: Deng X.‐F. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn this study, I attempt to apply for a new statistical method and investigate the environmental dependence of stellar mass and stellar velocity dispersion in the CMASS sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 9 (SDSS DR9). I divide the CMASS sample with redshifts 0.44 ≤ z ≤ 0.59 into many subsamples with a redshift binning size of Δz = 0.01, and analyze the environmental dependence of stellar mass and stellar velocity dispersion of subsamples in each redshift bin. It is found that stellar mass and stellar velocity dispersions of CMASS galaxies are very weakly correlated with the local environment. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Variations of 14C around AD 775 and AD 1795 – due to solar activity
Authors: Neuhäuser R. , Neuhäuser D. L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe motivation for our study is the disputed cause for the strong variation of 14C around AD 775. Our method is to compare the 14C variation around AD 775 with other periods of strong variability. Our results are: (a) We see three periods, where 14C varied over 200 yr in a special way showing a certain pattern of strong secular variation: after a Grand Minimum with strongly increasing 14C, there is a series of strong short‐term drop(s), rise(s), and again drop(s) within 60 yr, ending up to 200 yr after the start of the Grand Minimum. These three periods include the strong rises around BC 671, AD 775, and AD 1795. (b) We show with several solar activity proxies (radioisotopes, sunspots, and aurorae) for the AD 770s and 1790s that such intense rapid 14C increases can be explained by strong rapid decreases in solar activity and, hence, wind, so that the decrease in solar modulation potential leads to an increase in radioisotope production. (c) The strong rises around AD 775 and 1795 are due to three effects, (i) very strong activity in the previous cycles (i.e. very low 14C level), (ii) the declining phase of a very strong Schwabe cycle, and (iii) a phase of very weak activity after the strong 14C rise – very short and/or weak cycle(s) like the suddenly starting Dalton minimum. (d) Furthermore, we can show that the strong change at AD 1795 happened after a pair of two packages of four Schwabe cycles with certain hemispheric leadership (each package consists of two Gnevyshev‐Ohl pairs, respectively two Hale‐Babcock pairs). We show with several additional arguments that the rise around AD 775 was not that special. We conclude that such large, short‐term rises in 14C (around BC 671, AD 775, and 1795) do not need to be explained by highly unlikely solar super‐flares nor other rare events, but by extra‐solar cosmic rays modulated due to solar activity variations. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Magnetic, chemically peculiar (CP2) stars in the SuperWASP survey
Authors: Bernhard K. , Hümmerich S. , Paunzen E. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe magnetic chemically peculiar (CP2) stars of the upper main sequence are well‐suited for investigating the impact of magnetic fields on the surface layers of stars, which leads to abundance inhomogeneities (spots) resulting in photometric variability. The light changes are explained in terms of the oblique rotator model; the derived photometric periods thus correlate with the rotational periods of the stars. CP2 stars exhibiting this kind of variability are classified as α2 Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variables. We have analysed around 3850000 individual photometric WASP measurements of magnetic chemically peculiar (CP2) stars and candidates selected from the catalogue of Ap, HgMn, and Am stars, with the ultimate goal of detecting new ACV variables. In total, we found 80 variables, from which 74 are reported here for the first time. The data allowed us to establish variability for 23 stars which had been reported as probably constant in the literature before. Light curve parameters were obtained for all stars by a least‐squares fit with the fundamental sine wave and its first harmonic. Because of the scarcity of Strömgren uvbyβ measurements and the lack of parallax measurements with an accuracy better than 20%, we are not able to give reliable astro‐physical parameters for the investigated objects. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Entropy change and phase transitions in an expanding Universe
Authors: Iqbal N. , Masood T. , Demir N. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe work compiles a correlated study of a gravitational quasi equilibrium thermodynamic approach for establishing and signifying a unique behavior of the cosmological entropy and phase transitions in an expanding Universe. On the basis of prescribed boundary conditions for the cluster temperature a relation for the intra‐cluster medium (ICM) of galaxy clusters has been derived. A more productive and signifying approach of the correlation functions used for galaxy clustering phenomena shows a unique behavior of the entropy change where a phenomenon known as the gravitational phase transition occurs. This unique behavior occurs with a symmetry breaking from mild clustering to low clustering and from mild clustering to high clustering which differs from a normal symmetry breaking in material sciences. We also derive results for the specific latent heat associated with the phase transitions of 3.20 Tc and 0.55 Tc for the mildly clustered phase to the low clustered phase and from the mildly clustered phase to the highly clustered phase, respectively. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Variability in a three‐generation family with pierre robin sequence, acampomelic campomelic dysplasia, and intellectual disability due to a novel ∼1 Mb deletion upstream of SOX9, and including KCNJ2 and KCNJ16
Authors: Castori Marco , Bottillo Irene , Morlino Silvia , Barone Chiara , Cascone Piero ,   Pediatric Craniofacial Malformation (PECRAM) Study Group, Grammatico Paola , Laino Luigi 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundCampomelic dysplasia and acampomelic campomelic dysplasia (ACD) are allelic disorders due to heterozygous mutations in or around SOX9. Translocations and deletions involving the SOX9 5′ regulatory region are rare causes of these disorders, as well as Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) and 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. Genotype–phenotype correlations are not straightforward due to the complex epigenetic regulation of SOX9 expression during development.MethodsWe report a three‐generation pedigree with a novel ∼1 Mb deletion upstream of SOX9 and including KCNJ2 and KCNJ16, and ascertained for dominant transmission of PRS.ResultsFurther characterization of the family identified subtle appendicular anomalies and a variable constellation of axial skeletal features evocative of ACD in several members. Affected males showed learning disability.ConclusionThe identified deletion was smaller than all other chromosome rearrangements associated with ACD. Comparison with other reported translocations and deletions involving this region allowed further refining of genotype–phenotype correlations and an update of the smallest regions of overlap associated with the different phenotypes. Intrafamilial variability in this pedigree suggests a phenotypic continuity between ACD and PRS in patients carrying mutations in the SOX9 5′ regulatory region. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:61–68, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The dawn of active genetics
Authors: Gantz Valentino M. , Bier Ethan 
Published: December 2015

On December 18, 2014, a yellow female fly quietly emerged from her pupal case. What made her unique was that she had only one parent carrying a mutant allele of this classic recessive locus. Then, one generation later, after mating with a wild‐type male, all her offspring displayed the same recessive yellow phenotype. Further analysis of other such yellow females revealed that the construct causing the mutation was converting the opposing chromosome with 95% efficiency. These simple results, seen also in mosquitoes and yeast, open the door to a new era of genetics wherein the laws of traditional Mendelian inheritance can be bypassed for a broad variety of purposes. Here, we consider the implications of this fundamentally new form of “active genetics,” its applications for gene drives, reversal and amplification strategies, its potential for contributing to cell and gene therapy strategies, and ethical/biosafety considerations associated with such active genetic elements.Also watch the Video Abstract.
A simple rhodamine hydrazide‐based turn‐on fluorescent probe for HOCl detection
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Zou Yuan , Deng Chengquan , Meng Liesu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHypochlorous acid (HOCl) plays a crucial role in daily life and mediates a variety of physiological processes, however, abnormal levels of HOCl have been associated with numerous human diseases. It is therefore of significant interest to establish a simple, selective, rapid and sensitive fluorogenic method for the detection of HOCl in environmental and biological samples. A hydrazide‐containing fluorescent probe based on a rhodamine scaffold was facilely developed that could selectively detect HOCl over other biologically relevant reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species and most common metal ions in vitro. Via an irreversible oxidation–hydrolysis mechanism, and upon HOCl‐triggered opening of the intramolecular spirocyclic ring during detection, the rhodamine hydrazide‐based probe exhibited large fluorescence enhancement in the emission spectra with a fast response, low detection limit and comparatively wide pH detection range in aqueous media. The probe was further successfully applied to monitoring trace HOCl in tap water and imaging both exogenous and endogenous HOCl within living cells. It is anticipated that this simple and useful probe might be an efficient tool with which to facilitate more HOCl‐related chemical and biological research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimicrobial activity of GN peptides and their mode of action
Authors: Godballe Troels , Mojsoska Biljana , Nielsen Hanne M. , Jenssen Håvard 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTIncreasing prevalence of bacteria that carries resistance towards conventional antibiotics has prompted the investigation into new compounds for bacterial intervention to ensure efficient infection control in the future. One group of potential lead structures for antibiotics is antimicrobial peptides due to their characteristics as naturally derived compounds with antimicrobial activity. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the mechanism of action of a small set of in silico optimized peptides. Following determination of peptide activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa, toxicity was assessed revealing meaningful selectivity indexes for the majority of the peptides. Investigation of the peptides effect on bacteria demonstrated a rapid growth inhibition with signs of bacterial lysis together with increased bacterial size. Both visual and quantitative assays clearly demonstrated bacterial membrane disruption after 10 min for the most active peptides. The membrane disrupting effect was verified by measuring the release of calcein from bacterial mimicking liposomes. This revealed the most active peptides as inducers of immediate release, indicating the kinetics of membrane permeabilization as an important determinant of bacterial activity. No well‐defined secondary structure of the peptides could be determined using CD‐spectroscopy in the presence of different liposomes mixtures, implying that there is no correlation between peptide secondary structure and the observed anti‐bacterial and cytotoxic activity for this set of peptides. In conjunction, these findings provide strong indications of membrane disruption as the primary mechanism of bacterial growth inhibition for the tested peptides. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 172–183, 2016.
Meta-analysis of benefits of portal–superior mesenteric vein resection in pancreatic resection for ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Giovinazzo F , Turri G , Katz M H , Heaton N , Ahmed I 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Background
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a poor prognosis without surgery. No standard treatment has yet been accepted for patients with portal–superior mesenteric vein (PV-SMV) infiltration. The present meta-analysis aimed to compare the results of pancreatic resection with PV-SMV resection for suspected infiltration with the results of surgery without PV-SMV resection.

Methods
A systematic search was performed of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library in accordance with PRISMA guidelines from the time of inception to 2013. The inclusion criteria were comparative studies including patients who underwent pancreatic resection with or without PV-SMV resection. One, 3- and 5-year survival were the primary outcomes.

Results
Twenty-seven studies were identified involving a total of 9005 patients (1587 in PV-SMV resection group). Patients undergoing PV-SMV resection had an increased risk of postoperative mortality (risk difference (RD) 0·01, 95 per cent c.i. 0·00 to 0·03; P = 0·02) and of R1/R2 resection (RD 0·09, 0·06 to 0·13; P &lt; 0·001) compared with those undergoing standard surgery. One-, 3- and 5-year survival were worse in the PV-SMV resection group: hazard ratio 1·23 (95 per cent c.i. 1·07 to 1·43; P = 0·005), 1·48 (1·14 to 1·91; P = 0·004) and 3·18 (1·95 to 5·19; P &lt; 0·001) respectively. Median overall survival was 14·3 months for patients undergoing pancreatic resection with PV-SMV resection and 19·5 months for those without vein resection (P = 0·063). Neoadjuvant therapies recently showed promising results.

Conclusion
This meta-analysis showed increased postoperative mortality, higher rates of non-radical surgery and worse survival after pancreatic resection with PV-SMV resection. This may be related to more advanced disease in this group.
Cistus creticus subsp. eriocephalus as a Model for Studying Plant Physiological and Metabolic Responses to Environmental Stress Factors
Authors: Paolessi Paola , Nicoletti Marcello , Catoni Rosangela , Puglielli Giacomo , Toniolo Chiara , Gratani Loretta 
Published: December 2015

AbstractVariations in physiology and metabolic products of Cistus creticus subsp. eriocephalus along an altitudinal gradient (350–750 m.a.s.l.) within the Monti Lucretili Regional Natural Park (central Italy) were studied. The results showed that the phenol production was in relationship with the net photosynthetic rates and the chlorophyll content. In particular, the increasing caffeic acid (CA) content with altitude suggested its role in providing an additional photo‐protection mechanism, by its ability to consume photochemical reducing power and acting as an alternative C‐atom sink under high light conditions. The metabolic production was tested by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint analysis, highlighting the potential of this technique in biologic studies.
Microbial Transformation of 14‐Anhydrodigoxigenin by Alternaria alternata
Authors: Liu Jimei , Tang Wanxia , Chen Ridao , Dai Jungui 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe microbial transformation of 14‐anhydrodigoxigenin (1) by Alternaria alternata CGMCC 3.577 led to the production of seven new metabolites, 2–8. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic (CD, IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS) data analyses. The reactions in the bioprocess exhibited diversity, including specific oxidation, hydroxylation, reduction, epoxidation, and dehydration. In addition, a hypothetical biocatalytic pathway is proposed.
Luteolin Supplementation Prevents Selenite‐Induced Cataractogenesis in Sprague Dawley Rat Pups
Authors: Sreelakshmi Vasudevanpillai , Sasikala Vilasini , Abraham Annie 
Published: December 2015

AbstractLuteolin, a flavonoid present in leaves and stems of many plants finds mention in literature for beneficial effects on eyes. Presently, no reports are available on the in vivo anticataractogenic effect of luteolin. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of luteolin on selenite‐induced cataract models in vivo. The study consisted of three groups of Sprague Dawley rat pups 8–10 d old (Group I (Normal), Group II (Cataract induced), and Group III (Treatment)). Cataract was induced in Group II and Group III by a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (4 μg/g body weight) on the 10th day. Luteolin was administered orally from 8th day up to 12th day at a concentration of 1 μg/g body weight in Group III. After 30 d, lenses of treated animals showed normal morphology. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased and levels of reactive oxygen species were decreased in the luteolin‐treated group when compared to the cataract‐induced group. Increased Ca2+ATPase activity and lowered calcium level, caspase 3 activity and down‐regulation of caspase 3 expression were seen in the treatment group when compared to the selenite group. Luteolin enhances the antioxidant potential and thereby lowers the oxidative damages to the lens. It also stabilizes the membrane integrity of the lens and maintains the ionic balance.