bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Responsive Fluorescent PNA Analogue as a Tool for Detecting G‐quadruplex Motifs of Oncogenes and Activity of Toxic Ribosome‐Inactivating Proteins
Authors: Sabale Pramod M. , Srivatsan Seergazhi G. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFluorescent oligomers that are resistant to enzymatic degradation and report their binding to target oligonucleotides (ONs) by changes in fluorescence properties are highly useful in developing nucleic‐acid‐based diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the synthesis and photophysical characterization of fluorescent peptide nucleic acid (PNA) building blocks made of microenvironment‐sensitive 5‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)‐ and 5‐(benzothiophen‐2‐yl)‐uracil cores. The emissive monomers, when incorporated into PNA oligomers and hybridized to complementary ONs, are minimally perturbing and are highly sensitive to their neighboring base environment. In particular, benzothiophene‐modified PNA reports the hybridization process with significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity, even when placed in the vicinity of guanine residues, which often quench fluorescence. This feature was used in the turn‐on detection of G‐quadruplex‐forming promoter DNA sequences of human proto‐oncogenes (c‐myc and c‐kit). Furthermore, the ability of benzothiophene‐modified PNA oligomer to report the presence of an abasic site in RNA enabled us to develop a simple fluorescence hybridization assay to detect and estimate the depurination activity of ribosome‐inactivating protein toxins. Our results demonstrate that this approach with responsive PNA probes will provide new opportunities to develop robust tools to study nucleic acids.
Recoverable Dendritic Phase‐Transfer Catalysts that Contain (+)‐Cinchonine‐Derived Ammonium Salts
Authors: Rull Jordi , Jara José Juan , Sebastián Rosa M. , Vallribera Adelina , Nájera Carmen , Majoral Jean‐Pierre , Caminade Anne‐Marie 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFour new phosphorus dendrimeric phase‐transfer catalysts are prepared that contain 12 (+)‐cinchoninium salts on the surface obtained by the quaternisation of the quinuclidinic N atom. The asymmetric alkylation of a glycinate Schiff base with benzyl bromide is used as a benchmark reaction, and the dendrimeric catalyst that contains an allyl group on the O‐9 hydroxy group of the cinchonine units is the most active. The recovery and reuse of the catalyst are possible for five consecutive runs without loss of activity and with only a slight decrease in enantioselectivity. If other electrophiles are used, substituted benzyl bromides give better results than other activated alkyl bromides to afford the corresponding R amino acid derivatives. A comparison of these results with those reported previously for similar cinchoninium salts shows that dendrimers could be a better support than other polymers for this type of organocatalysis.
Electrostatic Discharges of Droplets of Various Liquids during Splash Filling
Authors: Thulin Anders , Molander Anders , Pidoll Ulrich von 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWhen filling a tank with liquid via a tube, the tube may either reach nearly to the bottom of the tank or end at a certain distance above the bottom, allowing the liquid to splash into the tank from a certain height. Up to now, the electrostatics experts do not know exactly whether splash filling may create an electrostatic hazard or not. For this reason, the research project Splash Filling was started. The first part of this project has already been published in this journal. This work is the second part of this project and answers the question whether electrostatic discharges do occur during splash filling of several liters and which safety precautions may be necessary.
Donor/Acceptor‐Stabilized 1‐Silaketene: Reversible [2+2] Cycloaddition with Pyridine and Evolution by an Olefin Metathesis Reaction
Authors: Reyes Morelia Lopez , Troadec Thibault , Rodriguez Ricardo , Baceiredo Antoine , Saffon‐Merceron Nathalie , Branchadell Vicenç , Kato Tsuyoshi 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe reaction of silacyclopropylidene 1 with benzaldehyde generates a 1‐silaketene complex 2 by a formal atomic silicon insertion into the C=O bond of the aldehyde. The highly reactive 1‐silaketene 2 undergoes a reversible [2+2] cycloaddition with pyridine to give sila‐β‐lactam 3. Of particular interest, in the presence of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 1‐silaketene complex 2 evolves through an intramolecular olefin metathesis reaction, generating a new 1‐silaketene complex 8 and cis‐stilbene. Theoretical studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through the formation of a transient silacyclobutanone, a four‐membered‐ring intermediate, similar to that proposed by Chauvin and co‐workers for the transition‐metal‐based olefin metathesis.
Swarm cuckoo search for closed‐loop parameter identifications from different input signals
Authors: Jin Qibing , Wang Qi , Qi Linfeng , Jiang Beiyan , He En 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMost identification methods can only be applied to closed‐loop parameter identification by specific input signals. In order to solve the parameter estimation problem of a closed‐loop system with different test signals, a novel improved optimization method called the swarm cuckoo search is proposed. The swarm cuckoo search algorithm adopts a special approach of computing discovered probability, and it is different from other cuckoo search algorithms. The proposed algorithm has a strong ability to locate the global minimums with random initial values in the search range. Additionally, simulations also indicate that the proposed algorithm can increase the accuracy of the parameters when compared with particle swarm optimization algorithm.
Methotrexate Polyglutamate Monitoring in Patients With Crohn's Disease
Authors: Fischer Monika , Siva Shivi , Cook Gwendolyn K. , Jones David R. , Fadda Hala M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMethotrexate is an efficacious immunosuppressant for induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease. The goal of this pilot study was to determine whether total or individual methotrexate glutamate levels (MTXGlun) in red blood cells correlate with disease activity and adverse events in Crohn's disease. A cross‐sectional study was undertaken with 12 patients on a stable dose of 25 mg weekly methotrexate (oral or subcutaneous). Clinical disease activity was assessed by the Harvey‐Bradshaw Index (HBI), and biologic disease activity was measured by inflammatory markers. Concentrations of individual MTXGlun levels were measured in red blood cells (RBCs) using high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. No association was observed between RBC individual (MTXGlun) or total methotrexate glutamate concentrations and clinical disease activity (HBI score) or inflammatory markers or adverse events. Although Crohn's disease patients in remission appeared to generally have higher RBC total longer‐chain methotrexate polyglutamate (MTXGlu3+4+5) concentrations compared with those with active disease, a definitive association between RBC MTXGlu3+4+5 levels and clinical disease activity could not be established. Larger longitudinal studies in patients with diverse disease activity are needed to establish the value of MTXGlun levels as indicators of treatment efficacy and clinical outcome.
Effect of Nutrient Availability on Progenitor Cells in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)
Authors: Benítez‐Santana Tibiábin , Simion Matthieu , Corraze Geneviève , Médale Françoise , Joly Jean‐Stéphane 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn zebrafish brains, populations of continuously proliferating cells are present during an entire life span. Under normal conditions, stem cells give rise to rapidly proliferating progenitors that quickly exit the cell cycle and differentiate. Hence fish are favorable models to study what regulates postembryonic neurogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine if optic tectum (OT) cell proliferation is halted during nutritional deprivation (ND) and whether or not it can be restored with refeeding. We examined the effect of ND on the proliferation of Neuroepithelial/Ependymal Progenitor cell (NeEPC) and transitory‐amplifying progenitors (TAPs). Following ND, no PCNA immunostaining was found in OT of starved fish, while positive cell populations of PCNA positive progenitors are found at its periphery in control fish. This indicated that active proliferation stopped. To label retaining progenitor cells, BrdU was applied and a chase‐period was accompanied by ND. Positive NeEPCs were detected in the external tectum marginal zone of starved fish suggesting that these progenitors are relatively immune to ND. Moreover in the internal tectum marginal zone labeled retaining cells were observed leaving the possibility that some arrested TAPs were present to readily restart proliferation when nutrition was returned. Our results suggest that neurogenesis was maintained during ND and that a normal proliferative situation was recovered after refeeding. We point to the mTOR pathway as a necessary pathway in progenitors to regulate their mitosis activity. Thus, this study highlights mechanisms involved in neural stem and progenitor cell homeostatic maintenance in an adverse situation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 26–38, 2017
Major histocompatibility complex classII DABalleles associated with intestinal parasite load in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes)
Authors: Lei Wei , Zhou Xiaoping , Fang Wenzhen , Lin Qingxian , Chen Xiaolin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe maintenance of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism has been hypothesized to result from many mechanisms such asrare‐allele advantage,heterozygote advantage, andallele counting. In the study reported herein, 224 vulnerable Chinese egrets (Egretta eulophotes) were used to examine these hypotheses as empirical results derived from bird studies are rare. Parasite survey showed that 147 (65.63%) individuals were infected with 1–3 helminths, and 82.31% of these infected individuals carriedAscaridiasp. Using asymmetric polymerase chain reaction technique, 10DAB1, twelveDAB2, and threeDAB3 exon 2 alleles were identified at each single locus. A significant association of the rare alleleEgeu‐DAB2*05 (allele frequency: 0.022) with helminth resistance was found for all helminths, as well as for the most abundant morphotypeAscaridiasp. in the separate analyses.Egeu‐DAB2*05 occurred frequently in uninfected individuals, and individuals carryingEgeu‐DAB2*05 had significantly lower helminth morphotypes per individual (HMI) (the number of HMI) and the fecal egg count values. Further, the parasite infection measurements were consistently lower in individuals with an intermediate number of different alleles in the duplicatedDABloci. Significantly, heterozygosity within eachDABlocus was not correlated with any parasite infection measurements. These results indicate that the diversity inMHCEgeu‐DABgene is associated with intestinal parasite load and maintained by pathogen‐driven selection that probably operate through both therare‐allele advantageand theallele counting strategy, and suggest thatEgeu‐DAB2*05 might be a valuable indicator of better resistance to helminth diseases in the vulnerable Chinese egret.
Asymmetrical competition between aquatic primary producers in a warmer and browner world
Authors: Vasconcelos Francisco Rivera , Diehl Sebastian , Rodríguez Patricia , Hedström Per , Karlsson Jan , Byström Pär 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn shallow lakes, pelagic and benthic producers engage in spatially asymmetrical resource competition. Pelagic producers intercept the flux of light to the benthic habitat and benthic producers intercept the flux of sediment‐derived nutrients to the pelagic habitat. In boreal and subarctic regions, climate change is affecting this interaction both directly through warming and indirectly through increased loading with colored dissolved organic matter (cDOM) from the catchment (“brownification”). We use a dynamical ecosystem model to explore the consequences of these changing environmental conditions for lake primary production and compare model predictions with the results of an experiment in which we manipulated water temperature and cDOM supply in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The experiment was performed in field mesocosms large enough to harbor reproducing fish populations and was run over an entire growing season. In agreement with model predictions, benthic algal production and biomass declined and pelagic algal production and biomass increased with browning. Pelagic nutrient concentrations diverged over time between low and high cDOM treatments, suggesting that browning alleviated pelagic algal nutrient limitation by shading benthic competitors and preventing them from intercepting the release of nutrients from the sediment. Warming considerably reduced benthic and pelagic algal production as well as pelagic algal biomass and total phosphorus. The warming results are only in partial accordance with model expectations, but can be explained by an indirectly inferred, positive response of macrophyte production (which was not included in the model) to warming. Our study suggests that lake ecosystem responses to climate change are mediated by cross‐habitat feedbacks between benthic and pelagic producers.
Organismal homeostasis buffers the effects of abiotic change on community dynamics
Authors: Ghedini Giulia , Connell Sean D. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe problem of linking fine‐scale processes to broad‐scale patterns remains a central challenge of ecology. As rates of abiotic change intensify, there is a critical need to understand how individual responses aggregate to generate compensatory dynamics that stabilize community processes. Notably, while local and global resource enhancement (e.g., nutrient and CO2 release) can reverse dominance relationship between key species (e.g., shifts from naturally kelp‐dominated to turf‐dominated systems), herbivores can counter these shifts by consuming the additional productivity of competing species (e.g., turfs). Here, we test whether consumer plasticity in energy intake to maintain growth in varying environments can underpin changes in consumption that buffer varying levels of productivity. In response to carbon and nutrient enrichment, herbivores increased consumption of higher‐quality food, which acted as a buffer against enhanced production, while maintaining organismal processes across varying abiotic conditions (i.e., growth). These results not only suggest plasticity in feeding behavior, but also in energy acquisition and utilization to maintain organismal processes. Such plasticity may not only underpin organismal homeostasis, but also compensatory dynamics that emerge from the aggregate of these responses to buffer change in community processes.
Reliability and validity of a self‐administration version of DEMQOL‐Proxy
Authors: Hendriks A. A. Jolijn , Smith Sarah C. , Chrysanthaki Theopisti , Black Nick 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a self‐administered version of DEMQOL‐Proxy, a disease‐specific instrument that measures health‐related quality of life in people with dementia.MethodsThe sample consisted of 173 informal carers of people with dementia, aged 29 to 89 years old. Carers were mostly female, White/White British and closely related to the patient. They completed DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered), EQ‐5D‐3L (proxy reported about the person with dementia), EQ‐5D‐3L (self‐reported about their own health) and the Zarit Burden Interview. Using well‐established methods from classical test theory, we evaluated scale level acceptability, reliability and convergent, discriminant and known‐groups validity of DEMQOL‐Proxy.ResultsDEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) showed high acceptability (3.5% missing data and 0% scores at floor or ceiling), high internal consistency reliability (α = 0.93) and good convergent and discriminant validity. Amongst others, we found a moderately high correlation with EQ‐5D‐3L proxy reported (r = 0.52) and low to essentially zero correlations with EQ‐5D‐3L self‐reported (r = 0.20) and carer and patient background variables (r ≤ 0.20). As predicted, DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) showed a modest correlation with DEMQOL (r = 0.32). Known‐groups differences on health‐related quality of life (comparing people with versus people without cognitive impairment) were of moderate effect size (d = 0.38) and in the expected direction.ConclusionsDEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) has comparable acceptability, reliability and validity with DEMQOL‐Proxy (interviewer administered). DEMQOL‐Proxy (self‐administered) can be used in a wider variety of contexts than its interviewer‐administered version, including routine use in busy clinics. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Both muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely associated with depressive symptoms in an elderly Chinese population
Authors: Wu Hongmei , Yu Bin , Meng Ge , Liu Fangfang , Guo Qi , Wang Jiazhong , Du Huanmin , Zhang Wen , Shen Suxing , Han Peipei , Dong Renwei , Wang Xiuyang , Ma Yixuan , Chen Xin , Niu Kaijun 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveFew population studies have examined the association between skeletal muscle and depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine whether low muscle mass and muscle strength were associated with the depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted with 1046 elderly in Tianjin, China. Depressive symptoms were examined using the 30‐item Geriatric Depression Scale. A Geriatric Depression Scale score of ≥11 was used to indicate depressive symptoms. Skeletal muscle mass was indicated using a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) that was measured by bioimpedance analysis and muscle strength was measured by dynamometer.ResultsIn a multiple logistic regression analysis, subjects in the lowest quartile of SMI or muscle strength had a significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms compared with those in the fourth quartile. The odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for depressive symptoms risk in the lowest quartile of SMI compared with the highest after adjusting for potential confounding factors were 10.1 (2.25, 58.3) in men and 3.17 (1.07, 9.95) in women. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for depressive symptoms risk in the lowest quartile of muscle strength compared with the highest after adjusting for potential confounding factors were 2.55 (1.02, 6.67) in men and 4.18 (1.83, 10.2) in women.ConclusionsBoth muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese. These findings may provide novel insights linking skeletal muscle and depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Bias Evaluation Provide Protection Against False‐Negative Results in QT Studies Without a Positive Control Using Exposure‐Response Analysis?
Authors: Ferber Georg , Zhou Meijian , Dota Corina , Garnett Christine , Keirns James , Malik Marek , Stockbridge Norman , Darpo Borje 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe revised ICH E14 document allows the use of exposure‐response analysis to exclude a small QT effect of a drug. If plasma concentrations exceeding clinically relevant levels is achieved, a positive control is not required. In cases when this cannot be achieved, there may be a need for metrics to protect against false‐negative results. The objectives of this study were to create bias in electrocardiogram laboratory QT‐interval measurements and define a metric that can be used to detect bias severe enough to cause false‐negative results using exposure‐response analysis. Data from the IQ‐CSRC study, which evaluated the QT effect of 5 QT‐prolonging drugs, were used. Negative bias using 3 deterministic and 2 random methods was introduced into the reported QTc values and compared with fully automated data from the underlying electrocardiogram algorithm (COMPAS). The slope estimate of the Bland‐Altman plot was used as a bias metric. With the deterministic bias methods, negative bias, measured between electrocardiogram laboratory values and COMPAS, had to be larger than approximately −20 milliseconds over a QTcF range of 100 milliseconds to cause failures to predict the QT effect of ondansetron, quinine, dolasetron, moxifloxacin, and dofetilide. With the random methods, the rate of false‐negatives was ≤5% with bias severity < –10 milliseconds for all 5 drugs when plasma levels exceeded those of interest. Severe and therefore detectable bias has to be introduced into reported QTc values to cause false‐negative predictions with exposure‐response analysis.
Wintertime precipitation climatology and ENSO sensitivity over central southwest Asia
Authors: Rana Sapna , McGregor James , Renwick James 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTThis article presents a detailed comparison of ten precipitation products over the central southwest Asia (CSWA) region. The spatial characteristics and temporal variations of wintertime precipitation over CSWA region are assessed using four gauge‐only [Asian Precipitation – Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation of Water Resources (APHRODITE), Climate Prediction Center Unified Rain gauge (CPC‐uni), Global Precipitation Climatology Center Full Data Reanalysis (GPCC) and Climate Research Unit (CRU)]; three satellite‐derived (3B42‐V6, 3B42‐V7 and GPCP‐1DD) and three reanalysis [Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), ERA‐Interim and Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA)] precipitation products. The analysis is performed for two different periods: (1979–2007) for the gauge‐only/reanalyses and (1998–2007) for the satellite‐derived products. Using an ensemble average of four gauge‐only observational data sets as our reference, we carry out comprehensive qualitative assessment of the uncertainties/biases associated with each data set. Additionally, we examine the relationship pattern between CSWA wintertime precipitation and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases. In the gauge‐only category, APHRODITE and GPCC perform better than CPC‐uni and CRU data sets in terms of the spatial and temporal variations of skill matrices. Overall, GPCC shows the best performance (including the precipitation sensitivity to ENSO events) and is the preferable observational data set for long‐term climatological analysis over the CSWA region. Among the satellite‐derived precipitation products, 3B42‐V7 displays the most realistic wintertime precipitation distribution pattern when compared to 3B42‐V6 and GPCP‐1DD; however, efforts are needed to further improve the accuracy of satellite‐derived products over the dry arid and semi‐arid areas of CSWA. In the reanalysis category, MERRA's performance is relatively better than CFSR and ERA‐Interim, although significant biases exist in all of the reanalyses due to overestimation of precipitation over the mountainous regions of CSWA.