bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of central nervous system relapse in lymphoma patients treated with dose‐adjusted EPOCH plus rituximab
Authors: Malecek Mary‐Kate , Petrich Adam M. , Rozell Shaina , Chu Benjamin , Trifilio Steven , Galanina Natalie , Maurer Matthew , Farooq Umar , Link Brian K. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Nabhan Chadi , Ayed Ayed O. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundCentral nervous system (CNS) relapse in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a rare but serious complication that carries a poor prognosis. The use of infusional etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab (EPOCH‐R) for frontline treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is increasing, though little is known about incidence of and risk factors for CNS relapse with this regimenPatients and methodsWe completed a chart review of patients with NHL who received EPOCH‐R as front line therapy. Data obtained included baseline and treatment characteristics including if patients received CNS directed therapy. We measured overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and progression to CNS involvement.ResultsWe identified 223 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 72% had DLBCL. Of all the patients, 5.8% experienced CNS relapse, and 38.6% were treated with CNS prophylaxis. There was no difference in rate of CNS relapse, OS, or PFS between patients who had and had not received CNS prophylaxis. Patients whose serum lactate dehydrogenase was greater than twice the upper limit of normal at diagnosis and those with extranodal disease were significantly more likely to have CNS relapse (P = .0247 and 0.022, respectively) than their counterparts.ConclusionsThe rate of CNS relapse in this patient population approaches 6%, not significantly different from reports on those receiving R‐CHOP. The results of this study suggest that CNS prophylaxis might be more selectively used among patients treated with EPOCH‐R with certain high‐risk features.
A Boron Alkylidene–Alkene Cycloaddition Reaction: Application to the Synthesis of Aphanamal
Authors: Liu Xun , Deaton T. Maxwell , Haeffner Fredrik , Morken James P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe describe an unusual net [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between boron alkylidenes and unactivated alkenes. This reaction provides a new method for the construction of carbocyclic ring systems bearing versatile organoboronic esters. Aside from surveying the scope of this reaction, we provide details about the mechanistic underpinnings of this process, and examine its application to the synthesis of the natural product aphanamal.
Isothermal Chirality Switching in Liquid‐Crystalline Azobenzene Compounds with Non‐Polarized Light
Authors: Alaasar Mohamed , Poppe Silvio , Dong Qingshu , Liu Feng , Tschierske Carsten 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSpontaneous mirror‐symmetry breaking is a fundamental process for development of chirality in natural and in artificial self‐assembled systems. A series of triple chain azobenzene based rod‐like compounds is investigated that show mirror‐symmetry breaking in an isotropic liquid occurring adjacent to a lamellar LC phase. The transition between the lamellar phase and the symmetry‐broken liquid is affected bytrans–cisphotoisomerization, which allows a fast and reversible photoinduced switching between chiral and achiral states with non‐polarized light.
Cadmium‐induced toxicity is rescued by curcumin: A review
Authors: Mohajeri Mohammad , Rezaee Mehdi , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCadmium (Cd) is one of the most common environmental and occupational heavy metals with extended distribution. Exposure to Cd may be associated with several deleterious consequences on the liver, bones, kidneys, lungs, testes, brain, immunological, and cardiovascular systems. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the main mechanism behind its toxicity causes oxidative stress and subsequent damages to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Therefore, antioxidants along with chelating agents have shown promising outcomes against Cd‐induced toxicity. Curcumin with various beneficial effects and medical efficacy has been evaluated for its inhibitory activities against biological impairments caused by Cd. Thus, this article is intended to address the effectiveness of curcumin against toxicity following Cd entry. Curcumin can afford to attenuate lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, alterations in antioxidant enzyme, and so forth through scavenging and chelating activities or Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway induction. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(5):645–661, 2017
Design and Solution‐Phase Synthesis of Membrane‐Targeting Lipopeptides with Selective Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Konai Mohini M. , Adhikary Utsarga , Haldar Jayanta 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDesigning selective antibacterial molecules remains an unmet goal in the field of membrane‐targeting agents. Herein, we report the rational design and synthesis of a new class of lipopeptides, which possess highly selective bacterial killing over mammalian cells. The selective interaction with bacterial over mammalian membranes was established through various spectroscopic, as well as microscopic experiments, including biophysical studies with the model membranes. A detailed antibacterial structure–activity relationship was delineated after preparing a series of molecules consisting of the peptide moieties with varied sequence of amino acids, such as d‐phenylalanine, d‐leucine, and d‐lysine. Antibacterial activity was found to vary with the nature and positioning of hydrophobicity in the molecules, as well as number of positive charges. Optimized lipopeptide 9 did not show any hemolytic activity even at 1000 μg mL−1 and displayed >200‐fold and >100‐fold selectivity towards S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. More importantly, compound 9 was found to display good antibacterial activity (MIC 6.3–12.5 μg mL−1) against the five top most critical bacteria according to World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogens list. Therefore, the results suggested that this new class of lipopeptides bear real promises for the development as future antibacterial agents.
Putting Rings around Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Pérez Emilio M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn the last five years, we have developed synthetic methods towards encapsulation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into organic macrocycles, to form rotaxane‐type molecules. These are the first examples of mechanically interlocked SWNT derivatives (MINTs). In this article, the motivation to continue developing the chemistry of SWNTs at a time well past their hype is discussed and our synthetic strategy and characterization methodology is explained in detail, stressing the general aspects. In particular, special emphasis is placed on the importance of adequate control experiments and bulk spectroscopic and analytical data to determine the structure of SWNT derivatives, as opposed to relying only (or mostly) on microscopy. Also our experimental results are used as pretext to reflect on more general/conceptual issues pertaining to the chemistry of SWNTs and mechanically interlocked molecules.
Land snails benefit from human alterations in rural landscapes and habitats
Authors: Rosin Zuzanna M. , Lesicki Andrzej , Kwieciński Zbigniew , Skórka Piotr , Tryjanowski Piotr 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMetapopulation functioning in the context of landscape and habitat structure is generally well understood. However, in human‐transformed landscapes, human disturbance may affect not only a species of interest but also biotic interactions in which that species is engaged, which has been rarely studied at multiple spatial scales. We tested (1) the associations between local (habitat and micro‐habitat) and landscape factors and the occurrence and abundance of the land snail Cepaea nemoralis and two of its predators (thrushes and mice); and (2) the hypothesis that human disturbances modify associations between C. nemoralis and its predators. We surveyed snail colonies in rural landscapes of Poland. Generalized linear mixed models were used to test the stated hypotheses. At the landscape scale, the occurrence of C. nemoralis colonies was positively related to the cover of suitable habitats, fallow/waste land, and road length in the surrounding landscape. Bird predator abundance was positively correlated with the occurrence of snail colonies, mostly at sites with a high human impact, and was negatively correlated with snail abundance at sites with low human disturbance. Snail occurrence and abundance at the micro‐habitat scale were positively correlated with variables describing the proximity of shelter and humidity. Avian predation pressure was negatively correlated with forest and settlement cover, whereas rodent predation pressure was positively associated with snail abundance and was negatively correlated with bird abundance. Human disturbance at the habitat and landscape scales benefited C. nemoralis through the creation of suitable habitats and scaling down of avian predation pressure. Conditions related to shelter and humidity were linked to the distribution and abundance of snails at the micro‐habitat scale.
Tunable Pyroelectricity around the Ferroelectric/Antiferroelectric Transition
Authors: Patel Satyanarayan , Weyland Florian , Tan Xiaoli , Novak Nikola 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe pyroelectric performance of Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)0.92Ti0.08]0.98O3 ceramics was quantified by dielectric, polarization, and specific heat capacity measurements. The tunability of pyroelectric properties upon electric field application was studied as a function of temperature. The large pyroelectric coefficient of 0.28 C m−2 K−1 was associated with the ferroelectric (FE)–antiferroelectric (AFE) phase transition. The pyroelectric coefficient can be tuned over a broad temperature range of almost 40 K above the zero electric field phase transition. Electrical and thermal measurements were used to estimate various pyroelectric figures of merit. Pyroelectric figures of merit are almost three order of magnitude higher than those previously reported in FE materials. The large pyroelectric properties indicate that the investigated material is a promising candidate for many pyroelectric applications.
Institutional determinants of ownership positions of foreign acquirers in Africa
Authors: Ellis Kimberly M. , Lamont Bruce T. , Holmes R. Michael , Ro Sangbum , Faifman Leon , DeGhetto Kaitlyn , Parola Heather 
Published: July 2017

Research summaryUsing unique features of the African context and blending institutional, hostage, and transaction cost theories, we address gaps in our understanding of institutional determinants of ownership position in cross‐border acquisitions (CBAs) in emerging countries. We focus on two traditional institutional determinants: Informal and formal institutional distances between the two firms’ home countries and two determinants that are particularly acute in the African context: the colonial ties between and fractionalization of the two firms’ home countries. We find colonial ties and uncertainty avoidance distance, an indicator of informal institutional distance, are negatively related to ownership position. Conversely, we show that formal institutional distance and the host country's fractionalization positively influence ownership levels, but the latter effect is weakened when acquirers come from more fractionalized home countries.Managerial summaryWe examine the effects of four institutional factors that influence organizational decision‐making in the African context: (a) its colonial history, (b) differences in informal cultural norms, (c) differences in formal regulatory structures, and (d) ethnic and linguistic diversity within a country on the percentage of equity ownership that foreign acquirers hold in African target firms. Results indicate that this equity position is lower when colonial ties and greater differences in uncertainty avoidance exist between the acquirer's home country and the target African country. Conversely, foreign acquirers’ equity ownership positions are higher when there are greater formal regulatory differences between the two countries and the host country is more ethnically and linguistically diverse, though the latter effect is reduced when the acquirer is from a home country that is also diverse.
Impact of temporal resolution of precipitation forcing data on modelled urban‐atmosphere exchanges and surface conditions
Authors: Ward H. C. , Tan Y. S. , Gabey A. M. , Kotthaus S. , Grimmond C. S. B 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTRepresentative precipitation data sets are very difficult to obtain due to the inherent spatial and temporal variability of rainfall. Gridded rainfall products exist at various scales, but temporal resolution is coarse (daily or, at best, a few hours). This study demonstrates the impact of low temporal resolution precipitation forcing data (PFD) on modelled energy fluxes, runoff and surface conditions, which could have implications for a range of applications including flood forecasting, irrigation scheduling and epidemiology. An evaporation‐interception model originally developed for forests is applied here within the framework of the Surface Urban Energy and Water balance Scheme (SUEWS). The model is forced with rainfall data representative of a range of temporal resolutions (from 5 min to 3 h). Taking the highest resolution case as a reference, differences in model output are found as the temporal resolution of PFD decreases, depending on the timing of rainfall occurrence, intensity and duration. Modelled evaporation, runoff and surface wetness deviate from the reference case, which affect other variables such as the turbulent sensible heat flux. The largest impacts are seen on days with greatest daily total rainfall and, even on days with no rain, differences in antecedent conditions (soil moisture or surface wetness) can cause deviations from the reference case. Errors can be reduced by applying a disaggregation scheme that provides a more realistic distribution of rainfall, importantly, one that allows for intermittent rainfall.
Identification of metabolites in human and rat urine after oral administration of Xiao‐Qing‐Long‐Tang granule using ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhou Lei , Zhang Qiang , Qi Wen , Yan Shuai , Qu Jialin , Makino Toshiaki , Yuan Dan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractXiao‐Qing‐Long‐Tang is a traditional Chinese formula used for the treatment of cold syndrome, bronchitis, and nasal allergies for thousands of years. However, the in vivo integrated metabolism of its multiple components and the active chemical constituents of Xiao‐Qing‐Long‐Tang remain unknown. In this study, a method using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry was established for the detection and identification of the metabolites in human and rat urine after oral administration of Xiao‐Qing‐Long‐Tang. A total of 19 compounds were detected or tentatively identified in human urine samples, including eight prototypes and 11 metabolites. Also, a total of 50 compounds were detected or tentatively identified in rat urine samples, including 15 prototypes and 35 metabolites detected with either a highly sensitive extracted ion chromatogram method or the MSE determination using Mass Fragment software. Our results indicated that phase Ⅱ reactions (e.g. glucuronidation and sulfation) were the main metabolic pathways of flavones, while phase I reactions (e.g. demethylation and hydroxylation) were the major metabolic reaction for alkaloids, lignans, and ginger essential oil. This investigation provided important structural information on the metabolism of Xiao‐Qing‐Long‐Tang and provided evidence to obtain a more comprehensive metabolic profile.
Efficient separation of high‐purity compounds from Oxytropis falcata using two‐dimensional preparative chromatography
Authors: Wang Weidong , Tao Yanduo , Jiao Lijin , Fan Minxia , Shao Yun , Wang Qilan , Mei Lijuan , Dang Jun 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe separation of high‐purity compounds from traditional Tibetan medicines plays an important role in investigating their bioactivity. Nevertheless, it is often quite difficult to isolate compounds with high purity because of the complexity of traditional Tibetan medicines. In this work, an offline two‐dimensional reversed‐phase preparative method was successfully developed for the separation of high‐purity compounds from Oxytropis falcata. Based on the analysis results, an ODS C18 prep column was used for first‐dimensional preparation, and 14.8 g of the crude sample was separated into five fractions with a recovery of 74.6%. Then, an XAqua C18 prep column was used to isolate high‐purity compounds in the second‐dimensional preparation because its separation selectivity is different with the ODS C18 stationary phase. As a result, eight compounds in the crude sample were isolated in more than 98% purity. This is the first report of trans‐cinnamic acid (1) and trifolirhizin (2) from Oxytropis falcata. This method has the potential to be an efficient separation method of high‐purity compounds from Oxytropis falcata and it shows great promise for the separation of high‐purity compounds from complex samples.
Molecular and geochemical perspectives on the influence of CO2 on calcification in coral cell cultures
Authors: Drake Jeana L. , Schaller Morgan F. , Mass Tali , Godfrey Linda , Fu Athena , Sherrell Robert M. , Rosenthal Yair , Falkowski Paul G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the cellular and molecular responses of stony corals to ocean acidification is key to predicting their ability to calcify under projected high CO2 conditions. Of specific interest are the links between biomineralization proteins and the precipitation of new calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which potentially can provide a better understanding of the biomineralization process. We have assessed the effects of increased CO2 on the calcification process in cell cultures of the stony coral, Stylophora pistillata, reared in nutrient‐enriched artificial seawater at four pCO2 levels and two glucose concentrations. Dispersed S. pistillata cells grown at low (400 ppmV) and moderate (700 ppmV) pCO2 re‐aggregate into proto‐polyps and precipitate CaCO3. When grown at pCO2 levels of 1000 ppmV and 2000 ppmV, the cells up‐regulate genes for two highly acidic proteins as well as a carbonic anhydrase, but down‐regulate long term cadherin protein production and minimize proto‐polyp formation, and exhibit a significant decrease in measurable CaCO3 precipitation. However, cell cultures precipitate CaCO3 in all treatments, even at slightly undersaturated conditions (Ωaragonite < 0.95). Glucose addition does not influence either biomineralization gene expression or calcification rate. Measured δ11B of the mineral phase, as a proxy of the pH at the calcifying sites, is out of equilibrium with the ambient seawater medium surrounding the cells and proto‐polyps, suggesting pH is elevated in the micro‐environment of the precipitating mineral. Our results suggest that coral cells possess molecular mechanisms to help compensate for the effects of ocean acidification within the bounds projected in the coming century.
Evidence for ubiquitous preferential particle orientation in representative oceanic shear flows
Authors: Nayak Aditya R. , McFarland Malcolm N. , Sullivan James M. , Twardowski Michael S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn situ measurements were undertaken to characterize particle fields in undisturbed oceanic environments. Simultaneous, co‐located depth profiles of particle fields and flow characteristics were recorded using a submersible holographic imaging system and an acoustic Doppler velocimeter, under different flow conditions and varying particle concentration loads, typical of those found in coastal oceans and lakes. Nearly one million particles with major axis lengths ranging from ∼14 μm to 11.6 mm, representing diverse shapes, sizes, and aspect ratios were characterized as part of this study. The particle field consisted of marine snow, detrital matter, and phytoplankton, including colonial diatoms, which sometimes formed “thin layers” of high particle abundance. Clear evidence of preferential alignment of particles was seen at all sampling stations, where the orientation probability density function (PDF) peaked at near horizontal angles and coincided with regions of low velocity shear and weak turbulent dissipation rates. Furthermore, PDF values increased with increasing particle aspect ratios, in excellent agreement with models of spheroidal particle motion in simple shear flows. To the best of our knowledge, although preferential particle orientation in the ocean has been reported in two prior cases, our findings represent the first comprehensive field study examining this phenomenon. Evidence of nonrandom particle alignment in aquatic systems has significant consequences to aquatic optics theory and remote sensing, where perfectly random particle orientation and thus isotropic symmetry in optical parameters is assumed. Ecologically, chain‐forming phytoplankton may have evolved to form large aspect ratio chains as a strategy to optimize light harvesting.
Essential Tremor and Depression
Authors: Aslam Sana , Zhang Nan , Adler Charles H. , Caviness John N. , Driver‐Dunckley Erika , Mehta Shyamal H. , Sabbagh Marwan N. , Belden Christine , Zamrini Edward , Beach Thomas G. , Shill Holly A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionDepression and neuropsychiatric disorders in individuals with essential tremor (ET) are not well characterized in the literature.MethodsWe compared 104 ET subjects with 481 non‐ET controls involved in the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. An analysis of baseline depression scales and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) was done between the two groups. Additionally, comparisons were made within the ET group based on tremor severity, duration of tremor, and age of onset.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the ET and non‐ET groups. There were no significant differences in the ET group above and below the median tremor duration. Additionally, no differences were found in the ET group based on objective measures of tremor severity, age of onset, or those with subjectively distressing tremor compared with those without.ConclusionThere were no significant differences in depressive symptoms between ET and non‐ET groups. Furthermore, no correlation was found between depressive symptoms in ET groups based on tremor severity, duration, or age of onset.