bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Respiratory impedance in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Gochicoa‐Rangel Laura , Vargas Mario H. , Alonso‐Gómez José Luis , Rodríguez‐Moreno Luis , Martínez‐Briseño David , Baños‐Mejía Omar , Torre‐Bouscoulet Luis 
Published: April 2016

SummaryImpulse oscillometry (IOS) evaluates non‐effort‐dependent respiratory mechanics, and thus it may be useful to evaluate patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Objectives: We aimed (1) to describe the behavior of IOS parameters in patients with DMD, and compare it to those from a control group; (2) to determine whether resistances and reactances differ in relation to the severity of DMD; and (3) to compare IOS parameters with spirometry and maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressures. Methods: Children and adolescents (<20 years old) with biopsy‐confirmed DMD and age‐paired subjects were cross‐sectionally evaluated. All results were transformed to z scores with respect to the healthy subjects (reference population). Results: Anthropometric characteristics did not differ between the 31 patients and 69 controls included in the study. Compared with controls, patients with DMD had higher IOS resistances and lower reactances. As expected, FEV1 and FVC were lower in patients and always declined as age increased. By contrast, MIP and MEP were lower‐than‐normal in youngest patients, tended to improve around puberty initiation, and declined thereafter. In general, there was a poor correlation between IOS parameters and spirometric variables or respiratory pressures, excepting for X20 Hz, which had an inverse correlation with FEV1. Interestingly, IOS resistances were higher in patients with less disability (lower Vignos score; better FVC), but tended to be normalized in advanced stages of the disease. Conclusion: This study showed that IOS is feasible in children and adolescents with DMD and yields information about respiratory function not achievable with the usual forced techniques. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1072–1079. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein‐Directed Synthesis of Lead(II) and Temperature Dual‐Responsive Red Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters and Their Applications in Cellular and Bacterial Imaging
Authors: Kong Lingcan , Ma Guangyuan , Liu Wenwei , Zhu Pengfei , Xue Qiang , Ling Xia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAbstract: Low toxicity and fluorescent nanomaterials have many advantages in biological imaging. Herein, we report a simple protein‐directed synthesis of water‐soluble and fluorescent gold nanoclusters (NCs) using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the stabilizing agent. The as‐prepared Au NCs show red fluorescence with a maximum peak at about 630 nm (quantum yield 7.6 %) and are characterized in terms of photoluminescence spectrum, photoluminescence excitation spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), circular dichroism spectra (CD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The resultant Au NCs are shown to be viable fluorescent probes for the determination of lead(II) ion and temperature due to aggregation‐induced quenching of fluorescence. Furthermore, the nanosensor exhibits high sensitivity to Pb2+ ion with a detection limit of 7.9 nmol L–1 and has been demonstrated for determination of Pb2+ ion in real water samples including tap water and mineral water. In addition, with the advantages including red fluorescence and good biocompatibility, the resultant BSA−Au NCs could be used as nanosensors for Pb2+ ion and temperature in biological imaging.
An Unusual Grob–type C–C/C‐O Bond Cleavage of 5‐Acyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one Derivatives
Authors: Ilangovan Andivelu , Sakthivel Palaniappan , Zipse Hendrik 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA variety of 5‐aroyl/alkanoyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐ones have been synthesised by reaction between acyclic β‐diketones and α,β‐unsaturated acyl chlorides in the presence of CaCl2 as catalyst. The reaction proceeds via domino C‐acylation/6π‐oxaelectrocyclization. The aryl‐substituted 2,3‐dihydropyranones, on treatment with hydrazine hydrate, underwent an unusual, sequential, C−C and C−O bond cleavage via tandem nucleophilic 1,2‐addition/Grob‐type fragmentation to provide 3,5‐disubstituted 1H‐pyrazoles, under mild and metal free conditions. However, the corresponding alkyl‐substituted 2,3‐dihydropyranones underwent only C−O bond cleavage to furnish 4‐acyl‐3,5‐disubstituted‐1H‐pyrazoles. The reaction free energies have been calculated at the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d) level of theory for the formation of differently substituted pyrazoles. The value −215.0 kJ/mol, observed for overall reaction between diphenyl‐substituted DHP 3 aa and 2 equiv. of hydrazine support the formation of ynone III intermediate and its subsequent cyclization to form diphenyl pyrazole 7 aa. In the case of dialkyl‐substituted DHP 3 pa nucleophilic attack at the C4 position is too unfavorable on thermochemical grounds.
Alumina Particles Are Snowballing with Propylene Oxide–Synthesis of Alumina Aerogels with Free Adjustable Particle and Pore Sizes
Authors: Ren Lili , Li Xueai , He He 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAbstract: Porous materials have widely application like adsorption, separation, catalysis, thermal insulation, etc., but how to prepare a kind of porous material with the specific particle and pore sizes according to the actual needs is always a tough problem. Although many studies have been involved in the regulation of the particle and channel sizes, until now the report clearly accessed to continuously adjustable particle and pore sizes is still very little. Here we demonstrate a simple method to prepare alumina aerogels with the required particle and pore size, which do not need to use any other complex structural directing materials, and can be easily achieved only by changing the amount of propylene oxide. This method realizes the controllable synthesis in real sense, which is helpful to promote the practical application of alumina aerogels, and also has a promising application in controllable synthesis of other porous materials.
Solvent–free Multicomponent Synthesis of Biologically–active Fused–imidazo Heterocycles Catalyzed by Reusable Yb(OTf)3 Under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Ansari Arshad J. , Sharma Shivani , Pathare Ramdas S. , Gopal Kandasamy , Sawant Devesh M. , Pardasani R. T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA rapid, efficient and solvent‐free – green – protocol for Groebke–Bienaymé–Blackburn reaction (G−B‐B reaction) for the synthesis of fused‐imidazo heterocycles has been developed. The methodology reported here involves multi‐component reaction (MCR) catalyzed by reusable Yb(OTf)3 (a mild and water‐compatible Lewis acid) under microwave irradiation which allows fast and efficient preparation of the title compounds in excellent yield. The salient features of our protocol are solvent‐free, low catalyst loading (2.5–0.1 mol%) with good turnover number (TON: 890) and turnover frequency (TOF: 178/min), less reaction time (5 min), no dependency over specialized purification (by either column chromatography or recrystallization) and very high isolated yield (95–99 %) with excellent green chemistry metrics (E‐factor: 0.071 and Mass Intensity: 1.071). The water compatibility of the catalyst Yb(OTf)3 has been exploited for its efficient recovery through water washings. In addition, the other exciting milestones of the protocol are catalyst and workup solvent recycling, excellent conversion with notorious substrates such as enolizable aldehyde or isonitrile bearing reactive substituent, very efficient at higher scale (50 mmol) and easy to couple with other methods (one‐pot two‐step cyclization: G−B‐B reaction and Ullmann‐type coupling).
Tweaking the Organization of Liquid Crystallinity and Molecular Gelation in Cholesterol Tagged Cardanol by Self‐Assembly
Authors: Sadanandhan Neethu K. , Sivakala Sarojam , Devaki Sudha J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper describes the effect of unsaturation, solvent, concentration and temperature on the specific modes of packing and the formation of supramolecular architectures in cholesterol tagged cardanol, 3‐pentadecyl phenol. Influences were investigated using various microscopic techniques, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) and rheometry. Results revealed that the driving force for the self‐assembly is the combined effect of the shape of molecules, specific intermolecular interactions such as chiral‐chiral, π‐π, electrostatic layer by layer stacking and molecule–solvent interactions among the molecular layers. Based on the results obtained, a plausible mechanism for the formation of self‐assembled architectures from one‐dimensional nanowire to two‐dimensional micro sheets and three‐dimensional spherulites/helical fibrillar networks is presented.
N‐Iodosuccinimide Catalyzed Oxidative Selenocyanation and Thiocyanation of Electron Rich Arenes
Authors: Muniraj Nachimuthu , Dhineshkumar Jayaraman , Prabhu Kandikere Ramaiah 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSelenocyanation and thiocyanation of electron rich arenes have been achieved using N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS) as a catalyst and aq. tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant at room temperature. This method works efficiently for indoles, anilines, phenols, and other electron‐rich arene systems to furnish the products in good to excellent yields and exhibits a good regioselectivity. The products synthesized are further used to prepare their corresponding trifluoromethyl derivatives using reported reactions.
Selective Recognition and Sensing of Succinate vs. Other Aliphatic Dicarboxylates by Thiourea‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Martí Almudena , Costero Ana M. , Gaviña Pablo , Parra Margarita 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGold nanoparticles functionalized with thiourea moieties have been used as selective colorimetric sensors for the naked‐eye detection of succinate versus other aliphatic dicarboxylates, all of them as their TBA salts. The detection process is based on the interparticle aggregation triggered by coordination of the end‐carboxylates to the thiourea moieties of two different nanoparticles. This nanoparticle aggregation results in a batochromic shift of the plasmon resonance band and a visual color change from red to blue.
Bioinspired Polyaniline‐Functional Natural Hairs for Pollen Protection
Authors: Chechetka Svetlana A. , Miyako Eijiro 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSelf‐assembled polyaniline nano‐microspheres with a low cytotoxicity were synthesized by a simple temperature controlling method and uniformly distributed on animal hairs that had been chemically functionalized with 4‐aminothiophenol. The resulting hybrid hairs were found to exhibit unique characteristics that help reduce the adhesion of natural pollen grains and spores. This new type of natural hybrid material shows great promise for the development of anti‐pollen fiber products capable of protecting against many different types of environmental pollutant.
Synchrotron based operando surface X‐ray scattering study towards structure–activity relationships of model electrocatalysts
Authors: Goryachev Andrey , Carlà Francesco , Drnec Jakub , Onderwaater Willem G. , Felici Roberto , Krause Philipp P. T. , Wonders Ad H. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Hofmann Jan P. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA novel combination of Surface X‐ray Scattering techniques (SXS), i. e. GISAXS (Grazing‐Incidence Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering), XRR (X‐Ray Reflectivity) and SXRD (Surface X‐Ray Diffraction) alongside with simultaneous detection of gaseous products by OLEMS (On‐Line Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry) has been applied to study under operando conditions structure‐activity relationships of a Pt model electrocatalyst. The SXS‐OLEMS combination is able to follow dynamic changes in surface morphology and crystallography during water electrolysis. To showcase the combined SXS‐OLEMS setup for operando studies of electrode transformations, H2 and O2 evolution reactions (HER and OER) on a Pt model electrocatalyst and their dependence on type and degree of surface roughening have been investigated.
A new taxon of cynodont from the Tropidostoma Assemblage Zone (upper Permian) of South Africa, and the early evolution of Cynodontia
Authors: Kammerer Christian F. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA new taxon of early cynodont, Abdalodon diastematicus gen. et sp. nov., is described. The new taxon is represented by a single skull from the upper Permian Tropidostoma Assemblage Zone (AZ) of the Beaufort Group (Karoo Basin, South Africa), which was previously referred to Procynosuchus delaharpeae. Abdalodon is distinguished from Procynosuchus by the presence of only four upper and three lower incisors, fewer postcanines, a well‐developed depression on the lateral surface of the maxilla posterior to the canine root, a tall mandibular symphysis forming a distinct ‘chin’, a relatively short snout, and weak or absent interdigitation of sutures in the interorbital region. These features are shared with the only other Tropidostoma AZ cynodont, Charassognathus gracilis. Abdalodon is distinguished from Charassognathus by its postcanine morphology, the presence of an expanded masseteric fossa, inset postcanine tooth rows, a broader interorbital region, and proportionally shorter temporal region. Most strikingly, Abdalodon has a lengthy diastema between the canines and postcanines on both the maxilla and the dentary. Charassognathus has a short diastema between the upper canine and postcanines, but not the lowers, and diastemata are absent from the tooth rows of Procynosuchus. Phylogenetic analysis recovers Abdalodon as the sister‐taxon of Charassognathus, forming a clade (Charassognathidae fam. nov.) at the base of Cynodontia. These taxa represent a previously unrecognized radiation of small‐bodied Permian cynodonts. Despite their small size, the holotypes of Abdalodon and Charassognathus probably represent adults and indicate that early evolution of cynodonts may have occurred at small body size, explaining the poor Permian fossil record of the group.
A simple method to predict temperature development in a protected steel member exposed to localized fire in large spaces
Authors: Guowei Zhang , Guoqing Zhu , Guanglin Yuan 
Published: April 2016

SummaryTemperature development is a key issue for fire protection of steel structures. However, until now, there has been little systematic approach to predict the steel temperature development during the whole process of a localized fire in large spaces. The smoke temperature development in large spaces is different from that in normal enclosure fires as they have lower maximum temperatures and non‐uniform temperature distributions. In the present study, a whole process prediction method for the development of smoke temperatures in a large space localized fire is proposed. The prediction method accurately reflects the temperature curves (in the growing, fully developed and decay phases) and the uniform temperature distribution in large space localized fires. Based on basic heat transfer principles and the proposed smoke temperature development model, a new relationship is proposed to predict the temperature development in a protected steel member exposed to localized fire in large spaces. There is only one variable, t (time), in the proposed relationship, and thus, it is very simple to implement in evaluating temperatures, and it accurately reflects the development of the whole fire process (growing, fully developed and decay phases). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manganese exposure disrupts SNARE protein complex‐mediated vesicle fusion in primary cultured neurons
Authors: Wang Can , Xu Bin , Song Qi‐Fan , Deng Yu , Liu Wei , Xu Zhao‐Fa 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTOverexposure to manganese (Mn) has been known to disrupt neurotransmitter release in the brain. However, the underlying mechanisms of Mn exposure on neurotransmitter vesicle release are still unclear. The current study investigated whether the protein expression and their interaction of SNARE complex associated proteins were the media between Mn exposure and neurotransmitter vesicle fusion disorders. After the neurons were respectively exposed to Mn (0‐200 μM) for 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 h, there were different degrees of cell injury in neurons. According to the results, Mn exposures in subsequent experiments were restricted to concentrations of 100 μM for 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 h. Mn was found to down‐regulate the expression of SNAP‐25 and up‐regulate the expression of VAMP‐2 in cultured neurons. Moreover, the interaction of Munc 18 and Syntaxin increased significantly in response to Mn treatment for 18‐24h, and the interaction of VAMP‐2 and Synaptophysin increased first and then decreased. FM1‐43‐labeled synaptic vesicles also provided evidence that the treatment with Mn resulted in neurotransmitter vesicle fusion increasing first and then decreasing, which was consistent with the 80 kDa protein levels of SNARE complexes. The findings clearly demonstrated that Mn induced the disorders of neurotransmitter vesicle release via disturbing the protein expression and their interaction of SNARE complex associated proteins. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 705–716, 2017.
Ethics and ‘fracking’: a review of (the limited) moral thought on shale gas development
Authors: Evensen Darrick 
Published: April 2016

Whilst claims about the ethicality of shale gas development via hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’, are commonplace in everyday discourse, little scholarly attention has been afforded explicitly to this aspect of unconventional fossil fuel extraction. The limited research that speaks to ethical considerations largely describes ethical concerns associated with development—extremely few claims in research literature make an ethical case for development. The most common ethical concerns cited in research stem from issues of distributive justice, with procedural justice, the precautionary principle, exposure to involuntary risks, rights‐based arguments, and changes in community character and way of life as the next most common. Additional research hints implicitly at ethical dilemmas associated with shale gas development but does not openly identify these issues as having moral implications. Many ethical considerations relate closely to concerns about water quality and the volume/supply of water available for other purposes. The limited scholarship in this area reveals the importance of understanding the ways in which ethics permeate thoughts about shale gas development for designing policy that responds to constituent needs and concerns. Even more limited than research on ethical claims in association with shale gas development is well‐reasoned scholarship that analyzes the extent to which ethical claims about development are well justified and philosophically justifiable. A comprehensive and systematic analysis of the range of ethical claims potentially relevant to shale gas development and their usefulness for informing policy on this topic would contribute greatly to informed decision making on this controversial issue—something that science alone cannot achieve. WIREs Water 2016, 3:575–586. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1152This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Rights to Water
Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water
Human Water > Water Governance
MTHFR: Addressing Genetic Counseling Dilemmas Using Evidence‐Based Literature
Authors: Levin Brooke Levenseller , Varga Elizabeth 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme is a catalyst in the folate metabolism pathway, the byproducts of which are involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Methionine is a precursor for a major DNA methyl donor and is important for DNA methylation and gene regulation. Rare mutations in the MTHFR gene have been associated with autosomal recessive MTHFR deficiency leading to homocystinuria. In addition, two polymorphic variants in this gene (C677T and A1298C) have been implicated in a mild form of MTHFR deficiency associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia has been previously implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Further, the presence of these variants, with and without mildly elevated levels of homocysteine, has been studied in relation to several multifactorial disorders including recurrent pregnancy loss, neural tube defects and congenital anomalies, cancer, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Given this wide spectrum of purported clinical implications and the prevalence of these polymorphisms, genetic counselors may encounter questions regarding the significance of MTHFR polymorphisms in a variety of settings. Here we present a brief background of the MTHFR polymorphisms, review of the literature regarding clinical considerations, and discussion of relevant genetic counseling aspects through case vignettes. Educational resources for patients and providers are also included.
Fingerprinting Krill Oil by 31P, 1H and 13C NMR Spectroscopies
Authors: Burri Lena , Hoem Nils , Monakhova Yulia B. , Diehl Bernd W. K. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe detailed analysis of krill oil is of importance to be able to differentiate other oils, identify adulterated products, and provide the highest quality associated with its beneficial health effects. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of the combination of 31P, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies to characterize the krill oil profile. It was found that in contrast to fish oil, where eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fatty acids are found in triacylglycerol, krill oil is characterized by a more asymmetric fatty acid distribution with a higher polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA content in the sn‐2 position of phospholipids and lower amounts in triacylglycerol. Besides the typical asymmetric fatty acid composition, several other markers were investigated for krill oil origin test. The validation of the 31P NMR spectroscopic method regarding major phospholipid species was performed according to the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. The method was characterized by high sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility. Interlaboratory testing showed satisfactory robustness regardless of the type of NMR equipment used by different laboratories. High‐resolution NMR spectroscopy has proven to be a convenient and exact method for providing a characteristic fingerprint of krill oil. By this technique, clear distinctions to other oils can be made through qualitative and quantitative analysis of krill oil.
A study of fresh stillbirths weighing 2500 g or more at three academic hospitals in South Africa
Authors: Bothma Marlene , Buchmann Eckhart J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the frequency of fresh stillbirths weighing 2500 g or more, to assess the risk factors and direct obstetric causes, and to describe avoidable factors in terms of substandard intrapartum management.MethodsA prospective, cross‐sectional, descriptive study was conducted at three obstetric teaching units in Johannesburg, South Africa. Data were consecutively collected for 6 months at each of the hospitals, leading to an 18‐month data collection period from May 1, 2011, to October 31, 2012. The study population was hospital‐born, singleton fresh stillbirths weighing 2500 g or more.ResultsOverall, 52 fresh stillbirths were eligible. Intrapartum catastrophic events were recorded in 30 (58%) cases (16 placental abruption, 7 cord prolapse, 4 ruptured uterus, and 3 entrapment of aftercoming head during breech delivery). Intrauterine fetal death was recorded on arrival at hospital in 15 (29%) cases. Twenty‐two (42%) women underwent cardiotocography monitoring; 15 (29%) had no fetal monitoring. Among 25 cases in which the emergency was recognized, the median time from recognition of emergency to delivery was 182 minutes (range 13–360).ConclusionThere appears to be a failure to detect or respond to evidence of fetal distress even in facilities with skilled staff and available resources.