bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aerosol radiative effects under clear skies over Europe and their changes in the period of 2001–2012
Authors: Bartók Blanka 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIn the study, the clear‐sky aerosol radiative effects have been quantified at 52 European sites using empirical and radiative transfer modelling approaches. Furthermore, the trends of the aerosol radiative effects are also determined for the period of 2001–2012. The aerosol radiative effects are simulated using the Mesoscale Atmospheric Global Irradiance Code radiation code with aerosol and water vapour climatology. The annual mean of the surface aerosol radiative effects in clear‐sky situations over Europe is −7.1 ± 2.9 W m−2. The trends of the aerosol radiative effects are derived assigning radiative effects to monthly Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aerosol optical depth time series applying linear fitting. In the indirect approach, the clear‐sky situations are selected from daily surface solar radiation observations from the Word Radiation Data Centre, and the trends of the aerosol radiative effects are delimitated in these clear‐sky radiation time series. The two approaches give good fit, based on the direct approach the annual trend of the aerosol radiative effects on clear‐sky solar surface radiation is −4.41 W m−2 per decade for the period of 2001–2013, while in the case of the indirect approach, this trend is found to be −4.46 W m−2 per decade. The seasonal trends of the aerosol radiative effects vary between −7.57 and −0.17 W m−2 per decade indicating stronger decreases in summertime. The results are presented for four sub‐regions of Europe detecting negative changes in all cases with a stronger decrease in the central, north‐eastern and southern part of the continent. The trends of the aerosol radiative effect have the same magnitude as the trends detected in clear‐sky solar surface radiation, and are an order of magnitude higher than the radiative effects of water vapour (0.20 W m−2 per decade).
Transcriptomic analysis of different stages of pigeon ovaries by RNA‐sequencing
Authors: Xu Xiaoqin , Zhao Xuting , Lu Lizhi , Duan Xiujun , Qin Haorong , Du Xue , Li Guoqin , Tao Zhengrong , Zhong Shengliang , Wang Genlin 
Published: July 2016

SUMMARYThe pigeon ovary is an ideal model for deciphering the molecular mechanism of folliculogenesis. While most analysis has focused on the influence of hormones and factors on ovarian follicle development in this model, changes occurring in the ovarian stroma can also be extremely informative. Here, we profiled the transcriptome of pigeon ovaries at pre‐ovulation, post‐ovulation, and 5–6 days after ovulation using RNA‐sequencing to gain insights into the molecular and cellular events mediating ovary activity. We obtained 44,784,505 clean reads that aligned with 14,088 genes. Gene expression profile analysis identified 409 differentially expressed genes between pre‐ and post‐ovulation; 96 genes were up‐regulated genes while 313 genes were down‐regulated. Gene ontology analysis of the down‐regulated genes revealed significant enrichment in components of the immune response, immune system, antigen processing and presentation, receptor binding, and biological adhesion. Pathway analyses of the high‐expression genes of the post‐ovulation ovary identified enrichment in phagosomes, lysosomes, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, cell adhesion molecules, and the Toll‐like receptor signaling. These data together suggest that post‐ovulatory follicle regression and elimination occurs through an immune response. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 640–648, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Function and regulation of microRNA‐31 in development and disease
Authors: Stepicheva Nadezda A. , Song Jia L. 
Published: July 2016

SUMMARYMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that orchestrate numerous cellular processes both under normal physiological conditions as well as in diseases. This review summarizes the functional roles and transcriptional regulation of the highly evolutionarily conserved miRNA, microRNA‐31 (miR‐31). miR‐31 is an important regulator of embryonic implantation, development, bone and muscle homeostasis, and immune system function. Its own regulation is disrupted during the onset and progression of cancer and autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Limited studies suggest that miR‐31 is transcriptionally regulated by epigenetics, such as methylation and acetylation, as well as by a number of transcription factors. Overall, miR‐31 regulates diverse cellular and developmental processes by targeting genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell motility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 654–674, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of rigid polyurethane foams with carbamide and borate groups
Authors: Zarzyka Iwona 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe results of research on the application of hydroxyethyl urea derivatives modified with boron as polyol components to produce foamed polyurethane materials are presented. The obtained rigid polyurethane foams are characterized by good heat‐insulating parameters and decreased flammability. The decrease in flammability of the foams follows from the presence of boron and increased nitrogen content, resulting from the use of polyol with urea groups. The incorporation of boron into the foam structure also results in a substantial increase in the compression strength, compared to classic foams and to non‐boron‐modified ones. The self‐extinguishing foams of high mechanical strength can find application as heat‐insulating construction elements for the building industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
An inhaled dose of budesonide induces genes involved in transcription and signaling in the human airways: enhancement of anti‐ and proinflammatory effector genes
Authors: Leigh Richard , Mostafa Mahmoud M. , King Elizabeth M. , Rider Christopher F. , Shah Suharsh , Dumonceaux Curtis , Traves Suzanne L. , McWhae Andrew , Kolisnik Tyler , Kooi Cora , Slater Donna M. , Kelly Margaret M. , Bieda Mark , Miller‐Larsson Anna , Newton Robert 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAlthough inhaled glucocorticoids, or corticosteroids (ICS), are generally effective in asthma, understanding their anti‐inflammatory actions in vivo remains incomplete. To characterize glucocorticoid‐induced modulation of gene expression in the human airways, we performed a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study in healthy male volunteers. Six hours after placebo or budesonide inhalation, whole blood, bronchial brushings, and endobronchial biopsies were collected. Microarray analysis of biopsy RNA, using stringent (≥2‐fold, 5% false discovery rate) or less stringent (≥1.25‐fold, P ≤ 0.05) criteria, identified 46 and 588 budesonide‐induced genes, respectively. Approximately two third of these genes are transcriptional regulators (KLF9, PER1, TSC22D3, ZBTB16), receptors (CD163, CNR1, CXCR4, LIFR, TLR2), or signaling genes (DUSP1, NFKBIA, RGS1, RGS2, ZFP36). Listed genes were qPCR verified. Expression of anti‐inflammatory and other potentially beneficial genes is therefore confirmed and consistent with gene ontology (GO) terms for negative regulation of transcription and gene expression. However, GO terms for transcription, signaling, metabolism, proliferation, inflammatory responses, and cell movement were also associated with the budesonide‐induced genes. The most enriched functional cluster indicates positive regulation of proliferation, locomotion, movement, and migration. Moreover, comparison with the budesonide‐induced expression profile in primary human airway epithelial cells shows considerable cell type specificity. In conclusion, increased expression of multiple genes, including the transcriptional repressor, ZBTB16, that reduce inflammatory signaling and gene expression, occurs in the airways and blood and may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of ICS. This provides a previously lacking insight into the in vivo effects of ICS and should promote strategies to improve glucocorticoid efficacy in inflammatory diseases.
A novel thiophene‐3‐carboxamide analog of annonaceous acetogenin exhibits antitumor activity via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I
Authors: Akatsuka Akinobu , Kojima Naoto , Okamura Mutsumi , Dan Shingo , Yamori Takao 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPreviously we synthesized JCI‐20679, a novel thiophene‐3‐carboxamide analog of annonaceous acetogenins which have shown potent antitumor activity, with no serious side effects, in mouse xenograft models. In this study, we investigated the antitumor mechanism of JCI‐20679. The growth inhibition profile (termed “fingerprint”) of this agent across a panel of 39 human cancer cell lines (termed “JFCR39”) was measured; this fingerprint was analyzed by the COMPARE algorithm utilizing the entire drug sensitivity database for the JFCR39 panel. The JCI‐20679‐specific fingerprint exhibited a high similarity to those of two antidiabetic biguanides and a natural rotenoid deguelin which were already known to be mitochondrial complex I inhibitors. In addition, the fingerprint exhibited by JCI‐20679 was not similar to that displayed by any typical anticancer drugs within the database, suggesting that it has a unique mode of action. In vitro experiments using bovine heart‐derived mitochondria showed direct inhibition of mitochondrial complex I by JCI‐20679 and associated derivatives. This inhibition of enzymatic activity positively correlated with tumor cell growth inhibition. Furthermore, a fluorescently labeled derivative of JCI‐20679 localized to the mitochondria of live cancer cells in vitro. These results suggest that JCI‐20679 can inhibit cancer cell growth by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I. Our results show that JCI‐20679 is a novel anticancer drug lead with a unique mode of action.
Self–aggregation Behavior of Dialkyl Imidazolium based Ionic Liquids in Aqueous Medium: Effect of Alkyl Chain Length
Authors: Chabba Shruti , Vashishat Rajni , Kang Tejwant S. , Mahajan Rakesh K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA series of new dialkyl imidazolium based ILs viz. N‐butyl‐N‐alkylimidazolium bromides, [CmCnmim][Br], where m=4, n=4, 8 and 12 have been synthesized, characterized and investigated for their self‐aggregation behavior in aqueous medium. Various techniques such as tensiometry, steady state fluorescence, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) have been employed to get detailed information about the self‐aggregation phenomenon. The investigated ILs have shown better adsorption and micellization behavior in comparison to single chain imidazolium based ILs in terms of higher adsorption efficiency and lower cmc values. TEM measurements provided insights into morphology of aggregates where spherical micelles and doughnut shaped vesicle like structures have been observed depending on the molecular structure of IL. The structure of aggregates formed by these ILs at molecular level has been proposed by analyzing the change in chemical shifts of various protons of ILs upon micellization along with information obtained from other techniques.
‘Reverse Micellar Aggregates’ in Phase Transfer Catalyzed Nucleophilic Displacement Reactions
Authors: Shrinidhi Annadka 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAccording to the ‘extraction mechanism’ for ‘normal phase transfer catalysis’ the reaction is taking place at the organic phase into which the anion is transferred by phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in the form of individual ion‐pairs. However, this mechanism is still a matter of discussion and remains a subject of some controversy. Herein, an alternate explanation for the reaction which raises the formation of aggregates resembling reverse micelles in organic media is described. NMR studies on the structural dynamics of HTPB in solution and, correlation study between the structures of catalyst and reactant offered evidences for aggregation of PTC in organic media. More evidences are obtained from studies on the kinetics of reaction at two temperatures and role of traces of water in formation of micelles. The above studies were done for cyanide displacement reactions of 1‐chlorooctane and benzyl halides. Moreover, SNAr reaction of Sanger's reagent with carbon nucleophile has provided qualitative support on the aggregation of PTC's in organic medium.
Breaking the Isolated Pentagon Rule by Encapsulating Xe2 in C60: The Guest Defines the Shape of the Host
Authors: Jalife Said , Mondal Sukanta , Cabellos José Luis , Pan Sudip , Méndez‐Rojas Miguel Ángel , Fernández Israel , Frenking Gernot , Merino Gabriel 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWhile many fullerenes obeying the isolated pentagon rule (IPR) are experimentally known, isomers which violate this rule may become accessible via endohedral encapsulation of a guest molecule. Density functional theory computations predict a lower energy of non‐IPR endohedral noble gas fullerenes over IPR analogues, specifically when C60 encapsulates a Xe dimer! So, the guest defines the shape of the carbon fullerene.
Highly Ordered Rectangular Columnar Ionic Liquid Crystals: A More Efficient Medium for Intramolecular Diels Alder Reactions
Authors: Do Dat Tien , Schmitzer Andreea R. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHerein, we present the synthesis, the thermal and mesophormic properties of trialkyl(1,3,5‐benzene)trisimidazolium salts. These salts form highly ordered rectangular columnar ionic liquid crystal phases and can be used as reaction media for Diels Alder reactions. The use of the ionic liquid crystal phase favours the formation of the intramolecular Diels Alder products, even in high concentration reaction conditions. We show that the ionic liquid crystal phase can be recycled and reused as solvent for at least 10 times, without any loss of yield or selectivity in the Diels Alder reaction.
Glyoxylic Acid as a Carbon Monoxide Source for Carbonylation Reactions
Authors: Markovič Martin , Lopatka Pavol , Koóš Peter , Gracza Tibor 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA new protocol for the generation of carbon monoxide by the dehydration of glyoxylic acid has been developed. Glyoxylic acid was applied as an environmentally friendly and cheap substitute for toxic and gaseous CO in the palladium‐catalyzed carbonylation reactions providing industrially interesting products in good to excellent yields.
Selective toxicity of persian gulf sea cucumber holothuria parva on human chronic lymphocytic leukemia b lymphocytes by direct mitochondrial targeting
Authors: Salimi Ahmad , Motallebi Abbasali , Ayatollahi Maryam , Seydi Enayatollah , Mohseni Ali Reza , Nazemi Melika , Pourahmad Jalal 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTNatural products isolated from marine environment are well known for their pharmacodynamic potential in diversity of disease treatments such as cancer or inflammatory conditions. Sea cucumbers are one of the marine animals of the phylum Echinoderm. Many studies have shown that the sea cucumber contains antioxidants and anti‐cancer compounds. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease characterized by the relentless accumulation of CD5+ B lymphocytes. CLL is the most common leukemia in adults, about 25–30% of all leukemias. In this study B lymphocytes and their mitochondria (cancerous and non‐cancerous) were obtained from peripheral blood of human subjects and B lymphocyte cytotoxicity assay, and caspase 3 activation along with mitochondrial upstream events of apoptosis signaling including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial swelling were determined following the addition of Holothuria parva extract to both cancerous and non‐cancerous B lymphocytes and their mitochondria. Our in vitro finding showed that mitochondrial ROS formation, MMP collapse, and mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release were significantly (P < 0.05) increased after addition of different concentrations of H. parva only in cancerous BUT NOT normal non‐cancerous mitochondria. Consistently, different concentrations of H. parva significantly (P < 0.05) increased cytotoxicity and caspase 3 activation only in cancerous BUT NOT normal non‐cancerous B lymphocytes. These results showed that H. parva methanolic extract has a selective mitochondria mediated apoptotic effect on chronic lymphocytic leukemia B lymphocytes hence may be promising in the future anticancer drug development for treatment of CLL. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1158–1169, 2017.
Synthesis and Molecular Structure of trans‐[IrCl(NO)(PtBu2H)2]BF4
Authors: Böttcher Hans‐Christian , Mies Thomas , Mayer Peter 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe synthesis and structural characterization of trans‐[IrCl(NO)(PtBu2H)2]BF4 (1) is reported. The title compound was prepared in good yield in the reaction of in situ‐prepared trans‐[IrCl(coe)(PtBu2H)2] (coe = cis‐cyclooctene) with an appropriate amount of nitrosonium tetrafluoridoborate in dichloromethane at room temperature. Single crystals of 1 were grown from dichloromethane/diethyl ether and were analyzed by X‐ray crystallography.
Multifocal Versus Solitary Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Kiriakopoulos Andreas , Petralias Athanassios , Linos Dimitrios 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundPapillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) which accounts for >85 % of all thyroid cancers in iodine‐rich areas, appears either as a single tumor or as two or more, neoplastic foci within the thyroid gland (Multifocal PTC). We present the comparative results between solitary and MFC PTC.Materials and methodsDemographics, tumor characteristics (size, laterality, foci number, histologic subtype) and TNM staging were compared between solitary and MFPTC patients. The presence of lymphocytic or Hashimoto’s thyroditis was also recorded.ResultsFrom January 2008 to December 2012, among 647 PTC patients, 241(37.2 %) had MFPTC 177 females (73.4 %) and 64 males (26.6 %), mean age 48.5 years (range 12–87). Mean number of tumor foci was 3.3 (range 2–26). MFPTC patients presented with more advanced T stage (28.2 vs. 18.7 %, p = 0.01) and more LN metastases (28.6 vs. 15.5 %, p < 0.001). Foci number correlates with male gender and LN metastases (p = 0.014 and p = 0.019, respectively). Central (N1a) or lateral (N1b) LN involvement correlates strongly with male gender (p = 0.024) and younger age (p < 0.001). The follicular variant was the next most frequent histologic subtype associated with extremely rare LN metastases.ConclusionMFPTC comprises a more aggressive form of papillary thyroid cancer since it is associated with more frequent N1a/ N1b disease and occurs more frequently in T3/T4 patients. MFPTC foci number correlates with male gender and LN metastases.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Moderate Versus Deep Neuromuscular Block for Low‐Pressure Pneumoperitoneum During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Koo Bon‐Wook , Oh Ah‐Young , Seo Kwang‐Suk , Han Ji‐Won , Han Ho‐Seong , Yoon Yoo‐Seok 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe beneficial effects of deep blockade are not fully known. In this study, we evaluated the effect of deep neuromuscular blockade on surgical conditions during laparoscopic cholecystectomy under low‐pressure pneumoperitoneum.MethodsPatients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to either the moderate group (train‐of‐four count of 1 or 2) or deep group (posttetanic count of 1 or 2). Neuromuscular blockade was induced and maintained with rocuronium; it was reversed with sugammadex in the deep group and with neostigmine in the moderate group. At the beginning of surgery, the intra‐abdominal pressure was set at 8 mmHg. The surgeon rated the surgical condition on a 4‐point scale (1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = acceptable, 4 = poor) and was allowed to increase the pressure to 12 mmHg if it was determined that the surgical conditions were inadequate for the operation.ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study. The rate of increasing intra‐abdominal pressure to maintain optimal surgical conditions was 34.4 % in the moderate group and 12.5 % in the deep group (P = 0.039). The proportion of patients with a surgical condition score of 1 or 2 (excellent or good) was 34.4 % in the moderate group and 68.8 % in the deep group (P = 0.006).ConclusionThe maintenance of intraoperative deep neuromuscular blockade was associated with a lower rate of conversion to standard pressure and higher surgeon satisfaction with the surgical conditions than was moderate blockade in patients undergoing low‐pressure pneumoperitoneum laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Robust Task Space Finite-Time Chattering-Free Control of Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Galicki Mirosław 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis work deals with the problem of the accurate task space control subject to finite-time convergence. Kinematic and dynamic equations of a rigid robotic manipulator are assumed to be uncertain. Moreover, unbounded disturbances, i.e., such structures of the modelling functions that are generally not bounded by construction, are allowed to act on the manipulator when tracking the trajectory by the end-effector. Based on suitably defined task space non-singular terminal sliding vector variable and the Lyapunov stability theory, we derive a class of absolutely continuous (chattering-free) robust controllers based on the estimation of a Jacobian transpose matrix, which seem to be effective in counteracting uncertain both kinematics and dynamics, unbounded disturbances and (possible) kinematic and/or algorithmic singularities met on the robot trajectory. The numerical simulations carried out for a 2DOF robotic manipulator with two revolute kinematic pairs and operating in a two-dimensional task space, illustrate performance of the proposed controllers.
The Role of Knowledge on Genetic Counseling and Testing in Black Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk of Carrying a BRCA1/2 Mutation
Authors: Hurtado‐de‐Mendoza Alejandra , Jackson Monica C. , Anderson Lyndsay , Sheppard Vanessa B. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractGenetic counseling and testing (GCT) for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers (HBOC) can inform treatment decisions in survivors. Black women at risk of HBOC have lower GCT engagement. There is limited data about Black survivors’ experiences. The goals of this study were to: 1) examine the factors associated with HBOC knowledge and 2) assess the impact of knowledge on GCT engagement in a sample of Black survivors at risk of HBOC. Fifty Black at‐risk breast/ovarian cancer survivors participated in a telephone‐based survey. GCT use was measured across a continuum (awareness, referral, and use). The primary predictor variable was HBOC knowledge. Other clinical, socio‐demographic, and psychosocial variables were included. Multiple linear and ordinal regression models (knowledge as the outcome and GCT as the outcome) assessed the predictors of knowledge and GCT engagement. Less than half (48 %) of survivors were referred to or used GCT services. Knowledge was moderate (M = 7.78, SD = 1.61). In the multivariable analysis, lower age (β = −.34, p = .01) and lower stage (β = −.318, p = .017) were associated with higher knowledge. Higher knowledge (β = .567, p = .006) and higher self‐efficacy (β = .406, p = .001) were significantly associated with GCT engagement. Future interventions directed at increasing knowledge, self‐efficacy, and improving the referral process are warranted.