bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two cases of spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma without back or neck pain in elderly Japanese men
Authors: Hongo Takashi , Iseda Kenichi , Tsuchiya Midori , Inaba Mototaka , Nozaki Satoshi , Takahashi Kenji , Nakajima Masaaki , Fujiwara Toshifumi 
Published: October 2017

CasesSpontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an uncommon disease. Most SSEH cases involve back and/or neck pain. We report the cases of two men who experienced SSEH with dysstasia but without back or neck pain.OutcomesThis study presents two cases involving elderly Japanese men who visited an emergency department because of sudden dysstasia without back or neck pain. The results of the neurological examinations revealed ataxic gait. Cervical spinal epidural hematomas were observed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. One patient underwent hematoma removal and decompression by corpectomy, whereas the other patient received conservative treatment and observation. The patients were discharged without sequelae.ConclusionSpinal epidural hematomas are difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can adversely affect the patient's quality of life. These hematomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases.
Unraveling the Mechanism for the Sharp‐Tip Enhanced Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction: The Kinetics Decide
Authors: Jiang Huijun , Hou Zhonghuai , Luo Yi 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe electrocatalytic reduction reaction of carbon dioxide can be significantly enhanced by the use of a sharp‐tip electrode. However, the experimentally observed rate enhancement is many orders of magnitudes smaller than what would be expected from an energetic point of view. The kinetics of this tip‐enhanced reaction are shown to play a decisive role, and a novel reaction‐diffusion kinetic model is proposed. The experimentally observed sharp‐tip enhanced reaction and the maximal producing rate of carbon monoxide under different electrode potentials are well‐reproduced. Moreover, the optimal performance shows a strong dependence on the interaction between CO2 and the local electric field, on the adsorption rate of CO2, but not on the reaction barrier. Two new strategies to further enhance the reaction rate have also been proposed. The findings highlight the importance of kinetics in modeling electrocatalytic reactions.
The van der Waals Interactions of n‐Alkanethiol‐Covered Surfaces: From Planar to Curved Surfaces
Authors: Cometto Fernando P. , Luo Zhi , Zhao Shun , Olmos‐Asar Jimena A. , Mariscal Marcelo M. , Ong Quy , Kern Klaus , Stellacci Francesco , Lingenfelder Magalí 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe van der Waals (vdW) interactions of n‐alkanethiols (ATs) adsorbed on planar Au(111) and Au(100) surfaces and curved Au nanoparticles of different diameters are reported. By means of electrochemical measurements and molecular dynamic calculations, the increase in the average geometrical curvature of the surface influences the global interactions, that is, decreasing vdW interactions between neighboring molecules. Small NPs do not present the same electrochemical behavior as planar surfaces. The transition between nanoparticle to flat surface electrochemical response is estimated to occur at a circa 13–20 nm diameter range.
Manganese Complexes for (De)Hydrogenation Catalysis: A Comparison to Cobalt and Iron Catalysts
Authors: Kallmeier Fabian , Kempe Rhett 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe sustainable use of the resources on our planet is essential. Noble metals are very rare and are diversely used in key technologies, such as catalysis. Manganese is the third most abundant transition metal of the Earth's crust and based on the recently discovered impressive reactivity in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions, is a potentially useful noble‐metal “replacement”. The hope of novel selectivity profiles, not possible with noble metals, is also an aim of such a “replacement”. The reactivity of manganese complexes in (de)hydrogenation reactions was demonstrated for the first time in 2016. Herein, we summarize the work that has been published since then and especially discuss the importance of homogeneous manganese catalysts in comparison to cobalt and iron catalysts.
Synthesis and characteristics of pectiniform polyurethane‐modified polycarboxylate at room temperature
Authors: Xiang Shuncheng , Shi Caijun , Zhang Henglong 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTIn this article, modified polyurethane prepolymer was synthesized by segmental synthesis method using isophorone diisocyanate, hydroxyl‐terminated silicone, polyether glycol dimethylolpropionic acid as raw materials. After that, pectiniform polycarboxylate, of which side chains were in roughly the same polymerization degree and main chains were in different lengths, was synthesized at room temperature in initiation system of hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid, and persulfate. Moreover, influence of various factors on the synthesis of polyurethane‐modified polycarboxylate at room temperature was discussed in detail and optimal synthesis process was determined. Results showed that redox initiation system, increasing initiator and monomer concentration, and extending reaction time needed to be adopted to complete the reaction. However, when the reaction time was over 4 h, water reducing of polycarboxylate declined rapidly. In addition, it could be found in Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis that the CC double bonds in acrylic acid were opened and polymerized, macromolecular chain segments were successfully connected to polyoxyethylene chain segment, and resulting polycarboxylic acid molecule contained hydroxy, carboxyl, methyl, ester group, and other groups. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45873.
Assessment of random aromatic co‐polyamides containing two different bulky pendant groups
Authors: Pérez‐Francisco José Manuel , Herrera‐Kao Wilbert , González‐Díaz María Ortencia , Aguilar‐Vega Manuel , Santiago‐García José Luis 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThis work reports the synthesis and assessment of random aromatic co‐polyamides containing two different bulky pendant groups. The random aromatic co‐polyamides are synthesized combining the monomers 5‐tert‐butylisophthalic acid and 5‐(9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐ethanoanthracene‐11,12‐dicarboximido)isophthalic acid with three different diamines. The random aromatic co‐polyamides are readily soluble and possess inherent viscosities in the range of 0.47–0.60 dL g−1. Co‐polyamide dense membranes are amorphous, and flexible with both good tensile strength (56.2–57.5 MPa) and tensile modulus (1.3–1.6 GPa). Permeability coefficients of the co‐polyamide dense membranes are assessed for the gases He, O2, N2, CH4, and CO2. It is found that the combination of two bulky pendant groups, dibenzobarrelene and tert‐butyl, in the backbone of the co‐polyamides improves the gas permeability coefficient in comparison with their corresponding homopolyamides. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45884.
A pivotal role of AMPK signaling in medicarpin‐mediated formation of brown and beige
Authors: Imran Khan Mohammad , Yoon Dahyeon , Kim Yong‐Sik 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObesity poses a substantial threat of a worldwide epidemic and requires better understanding of adipose‐tissue biology as well as necessitates research into the etiology and therapeutic interventions. In this study, Medicarpin (Med), a natural pterocarpan, was selected (by screening) as a small‐molecule inducer of adipocyte differentiation among 854 candidates by using C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cell; a cellular model of adipogenesis. Med induced the expression of brown‐adipocyte commitment marker Bmp7 as well as the early regulators of brown fat fate Pparγ, Prdm16, and Pgc‐1α during differentiation of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. Med also induced the expression of a key thermogenic marker—uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)—along with expression of other brown‐fat–specific markers and beige‐fat–specific markers. Of note, Med significantly reduced the expression of white fat markers too. Furthermore, Med treatment promoted formation of multilocular lipid droplets (LDs), expression of mitochondrial‐biogenesis–related genes, and increased oxygen consumption. Gene silencing study revealed that Med promotes the development of brown‐ and beige‐adipocyte characteristics in C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells through activation of the AMPK pathway, and our data allow us to propose Med as a candidate for therapeutics against obesity or related metabolic disorders. © 2017 BioFactors, 44(2):168–179, 2018
Comparison of purification strategies for antibodies used in a broad spectrum host cell protein immunoassay
Authors: Baldus Phoebe A. , Brown Matthew , Wright Richard S. , Campbell Jessica A. , Lute Scott , Chavez Brittany , Brorson Kurt , Mozier Ned 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHost cell proteins (HCPs) are a heterogeneous mixture of impurities that should be minimized in bulk preparations of biotechnologically produced medicines. Immunoassays are commonly used to detect and measure HCPs in therapeutic products, and a successful assay is directly dependent on the quality of the polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) used. These pAbs are enriched from antisera of animals immunized with a broad mixture of HCPs, but there is limited information regarding the best strategy for purification of these critical reagents. The use of protein A or protein G affinity chromatography results in purified pAbs that are not entirely HCP‐specific, while the use of HCP affinity chromatography results in a more specific pAb population but may be harder to recover fully. In theory, both approaches have advantages and disadvantages for generating optimal reagents. In this study, we compared reagents from these two purification procedures using the same starting material, as well as those from a step‐wise combination of the two by evaluating purity, concentration, reagent coverage by Western blotting, and performance in an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study demonstrates that pAbs purified by each of the methods are very similar in terms of sensitivity, the ability to recognize a broad range of HCPs, and overall performance in an ELISA measuring a range of HCPs in upstream process and final drug substance (DS) samples.
‘I was just like, Wow!’: Students’ perceptions of how counselling benefitted their academic experience
Authors: Bentley Anne 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackground and Aims: This research explored students’ perceptions of how university counselling benefitted their academic experience. Materials & Methods: A purposeful sampling strategy was employed, selecting students who, in postcounselling questionnaires, identified counselling as supporting their academic work. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven current students; four men and three women. Six were undergraduates and one a postgraduate student. Interviews were analysed using grounded theory (Charmaz, ) and the results theorised using Sfard's (1983) acquisition and participation metaphors for learning. Results: A split was established between students who sought counselling to acquire skills and techniques and those who used the counselling relationship to develop abilities to reflect and question aspects of themselves. All students reported that counselling helped them engage more fully in academic activities and perceived counselling as enhancing their academic attainment. Discussion: The research suggests students may seek different sorts of learning experiences from therapy and these appear to benefit students’ perceptions of their academic attainment. Conclusion: This potentially widens the conception of university counselling as a complementary learning experience alongside formal academic teaching.
Allelopathic Activity and Chemical Composition of Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. Essential Oil from Egypt
Authors: Abd El‐Gawad Ahmed M. , El‐Amier Yasser A. , Bonanomi Giuliano 
Published: October 2017

Aromatic plants attract the attention of many researchers worldwide due to their worthy applications in agriculture, human prosperity, and the environment. Essential oil (EO) could be exploited as effective alternatives to synthetic compounds as it has several biological activities including allelopathy. The EO from the aerial parts of Rhynchosia minima was extracted by hydrodistillation and investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Different concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 μL L−1) of the EO were prepared for investigation of their allelopathic potential on two weeds; Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Rumex dentatus. Twenty‐eight compounds, mainly sesquiterpenes (69.13%) were determined. The major compounds are α‐eudesmol, 2‐allyl‐5‐tert‐butylhydroquinone, caryophyllene oxide, trans‐caryophyllene, and τ‐cadinol. The EO from the R. minima showed a significant inhibition of D. aegyptium and R. dentatus germination, while the seedling growth was stimulated. Therefore, it is not recommended to treat these noxious weeds with the EO of R. minima before the germination. In contrast, the apparent stimulatory effect on the seedling growth offers further studies to use the EO of R. minima to enhance the fitness of different economic crops. However, characterization of green bio‐herbicides such as EO (allelochemicals) from wild plants raises a new opportunity for the incorporation of new technology of bio‐control against the noxious weeds.
Propensity for cis‐Proline Formation in Unfolded Proteins
Authors: Alderson T. Reid , Lee Jung Ho , Charlier Cyril , Ying Jinfa , Bax Ad 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn unfolded proteins, peptide bonds involving Pro residues exist in equilibrium between the minor cis and major trans conformations. Folded proteins predominantly contain trans‐Pro bonds, and slow cis–trans Pro isomerization in the unfolded state is often found to be a rate‐limiting step in protein folding. Moreover, kinases and phosphatases that act upon Ser/Thr−Pro motifs exhibit preferential recognition of either the cis‐ or trans‐Pro conformer. Here, NMR spectra obtained at both atmospheric and high pressures indicate that the population of cis‐Pro falls well below previous estimates, an effect attributed to the use of short peptides with charged termini in most prior model studies. For the intrinsically disordered protein α‐synuclein, cis‐Pro populations at all of its five X−Pro bonds are less than 5 %, with only modest ionic strength dependence and no detectable effect of the previously demonstrated interaction between the N‐ and C‐terminal halves of the protein. Comparison to small peptides with the same amino‐acid sequence indicates that peptides, particularly those with unblocked, oppositely charged amino and carboxyl end groups, strongly overestimate the amount of cis‐Pro.
miR‐23b‐3p and miR‐125b‐5p downregulate apo(a) expression by targeting Ets1 in HepG2 cells
Authors: Zeng Jun‐fa , Zeng Zhao‐lin , Zhang Kai , Zhao Yue , Liu Ya‐mi , Chen Jiao‐jiao , Tong Hai , Wei Dang‐heng , Jiang Zhi‐sheng , Wang Zuo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHigh concentrations of plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been inferred to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as coronary artery diseases, restenosis, and stroke. Apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] is one of the most important components of Lp(a) and contributes greatly to the increased concentration of plasma Lp(a). As a critical positive transacting factor of apo(a) gene, Ets1 has been proven as a target gene of several miRNAs, such as miR‐193b, miR‐125b‐5p, miR‐200b, miR‐1, and miR‐499. In this study, a series of experiments on miRNAs and relative miRNAs inhibitor delivered HepG2 cells were conducted, and two miRNAs that downregulate the apo(a) by targeting the 3′‐UTR of Ets1 were identified. Results showed that apo(a) and Ets1 were differentially expressed in SMMC7721 and HepG2 cell lines. Meanwhile, apo(a) and Ets1 were inversely correlated with several hepatic endogenous miRNAs, such as miR‐125b‐5p, miR‐23b‐3p, miR‐26a‐5p, and miR‐423‐5p, which were predicted to bind to Ets1. Results show that miR‐125b‐5p and miR‐23b‐3p mimics could inhibit the synthesis of apo(a) by directly targeting Ets1 in HepG2, thereby reducing the plasma Lp (a) concentration.
Histone deacetylase inhibitor stimulates E2 and P4 secretion in sika deer ovarian granulosa cells at a moderate dose
Authors: Xing Mingjie , Chen Xiumin , Li Xiaoxia , Yang Yifeng , Wang Xiaoxu , Cao Xinyan , Xue Hailong , Wang Shiyong , Diao Yunfei , Zhao Weigang , Zhao Meng , Cui Xuezhe , Chang Tong , Xu Baozeng , Wei Haijun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and tumor suppressor play an important role in genome reorganization and epigenetic regulation. In this study, granulosa cells (GCs) isolated from sika deer ovaries were cultured and treated with different concentrations of trichostatin A (TSA) for 48 h. It was found that TSA inhibited GCs proliferation and induced GCs apoptosis by upregulating expression of BAX, meanwhile, downregulating expression of GLUT3, GLUT8, BCL‐XL. In addition, TSA caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 and G2/M phase accompanied by reducing expression of Cyclin D2 and CDK4. TSA pretreatment increased DNMT3a, DNMT1, HDAC1, and HAT1 expression, and attenuated them when TAS higher than 50 nM. The protein levels of H3K9ac and H4K8ac in GCs were increased at 48 h after TSA treatment. TSA stimulated the secretion of estradiol and progesterone at a moderate dose. Our data suggest that TSA is important as a regulator of steroid hormone synthesis in granulosa cells during follicular development in the sika deer ovary.
Combined Depth and Cake Filtration Model Coupled with Flow Simulation for Flat and Pleated Filters
Authors: Iliev Oleg , Kirsch Ralf , Osterroth Sebastian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFiltration processes characterized by initial depth filtration, followed by a stage during which the cake acts as both a depth and surface filtering medium are studied. Such phenomena can occur especially for polydisperse dust. Based on one‐dimensional depth filtration modeling, a combined depth and cake filtration model is formulated and coupled with the fluid flow. The evolution of flow resistivity and filtration efficiencies is investigated in the case of relatively dilute suspensions and constant flow rates. Numerical simulations of single‐pass experiments are performed for both flat and pleated filter media. The model presented here is able to predict a nonlinear pressure drop for incompressible filter cakes due to the reduction of pore volume by particle deposition in the cake region.
Improved Electrocatalytic Performance of Tailored Metal‐Free Nitrogen‐Doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbons for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhong Haihong , Zhang Shuwei , Jiang Jiawei , Li Dianqing , Tang Pinggui , Alonso‐Vante Nicolas , Feng Yongjun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMetal‐free nitrogen‐doped ordered mesoporous carbons were tailored from homemade mesoporous carbon CMK‐3. The different amounts of N doping were provided by using melamine as the nitrogen source at 900 °C. The corresponding electrocatalytic performance towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media was evaluated. Prior to the thermal treatment, CMK‐3 was modified by using nitric acid to introduce oxygen‐containing functional groups. The results showed that the method employed is efficient to prepare N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts. The amount of pyridinic‐N reached a maximum value of 53.8 atom % in the Me/HNMK‐5 catalyst material. The ORR performance of this material attained an onset potential of 0.92 V vs. RHE, and a half‐wave potential of 0.87 V vs. RHE with a four‐electron pathway in alkaline medium, comparable with the benchmark catalyst, 20 wt % Pt/C.
Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy of Labeled Azurin Reveals Photoinduced Electron Transfer between Label and Cu Center
Authors: Andreoni Alessio , Sen Saptaswa , Hagedoorn Peter‐Leon , Buma Wybren J. , Aartsma Thijs J. , Canters Gerard W. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFluorescent labeling of biomacromolecules enjoys increasing popularity for structural, mechanistic, and microscopic investigations. Its success hinges on the ability of the dye to alternate between bright and dark states. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is an important source of fluorescence modulation. Photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) may occur as well, but is often considered only when donor and acceptor are in van der Waals contact. In this study, PET is shown between a label and redox centers in oxidoreductases, which may occur over large distances. In the small blue copper protein azurin, labeled with ATTO655, PET is observed when the label is at 18.5 Å, but not when it is at 29.1 Å from the Cu. For CuII, PET from label to Cu occurs at a rate of (4.8±0.3)×104 s−1 and back at (0.7±0.1)×103 s−1. With CuI the numbers are (3.3±0.7)×106 s−1 and (1.0±0.1)×104 s−1. Reorganization energies and electronic coupling elements are in the range of 0.8–1.2 eV and 0.02–0.5 cm−1, respectively. These data are compatible with electron transfer (ET) along a through‐bond pathway although transient complex formation followed by ET cannot be ruled out. The outcome of this study is a useful guideline for experimental designs in which oxidoreductases are labelled with fluorescent dyes, with particular attention to single molecule investigations. The labelling position for FRET can be optimized to avoid reactions like PET by evaluating the structure and thermodynamics of protein and label.
Achieving Amphibious Superprotonic Conductivity in a CuI Metal–Organic Framework by Strategic Pyrazinium Salt Impregnation
Authors: Khatua Sajal , Bar Arun Kumar , Sheikh Javeed Ahmad , Clearfield Abraham , Konar Sanjit 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTreatment of a pyrazine (pz)‐impregnated CuI metal–organic framework (MOF) ([1⊃pz]) with HCl vapor renders an interstitial pyrazinium chloride salt‐hybridized MOF ([1⊃pz⋅6 HCl]) that exhibits proton conductivity over 10−2 S cm−1 both in anhydrous and under humid conditions. Framework [1⊃pz⋅6 HCl] features the highest anhydrous proton conductivity among the lesser‐known examples of MOF‐based materials exhibiting proton conductivity under both anhydrous and humid conditions. Moreover, [1⊃pz] and corresponding pyrazinium sulfate‐ and pyrazinium phosphate‐hybridized MOFs also exhibit superprotonic conductivity over 10−2 S cm−1 under humid conditions. The impregnated pyrazinium ions play a crucial role in protonic conductivity, which occurs through a Grotthuss mechanism.