bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating equilibrium and non‐equilibrium transport of ammonium in a loam soil column
Authors: Hou Lizhu , Hu Bill X. , Qi Zhiming , Yang Huan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRelease of nitrogen compounds into groundwater, particularly those compounds from excessive agricultural fertilization, is a major concern in an aquifer recharge. Among the nitrogen compounds, ammonium (
) is a common one. In order to assess the risk of agricultural fertilizer contamination to an aquifer through infiltration,
adsorption onto a loamy agricultural soil profile (0–0.60 m depth) was studied using a soil column experiment and modelling simulation. The soil used in the experiment was drawn from an agricultural field in Xinzhen, Fangshan district, Beijing, China, and reconstituted in laboratory soil columns. Column experiments were conducted using bromide (conservative tracer) and
‐bearing aqueous solutions. The ammonium concentrations in the soil water samples were measured, and their values were plotted as the
breakthrough curves. The chemical's soil–water distribution coefficients (Kd) were calculated using breakthrough curves. Then the retardation factor (R) in saturated soil was calculated. For the
‐bearing aqueous solutions, the strongest
adsorption occurred at the soil depth of 0.30–0.45 m. The convection–dispersion equation model and chemical non‐equilibrium model in Hydrus‐1D were used to simulate
transport in the loamy soil. The two‐site chemical non‐equilibrium model in Hydrus‐1D was best to simulate
transport through the soil column. Parameter sensitivity study was conducted to investigate the influences of solute transport by Kd, the fraction of exchange sites assuming to be in equilibrium with the solution phase (f), the longitudinal dispersivity (λ), and the first‐order rate coefficients (ω). The sensitivity analysis results indicate Kd is the most critical parameter.
Measuring hydrological connectivity inside a soil by low field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry
Authors: Conte Pellegrino , Ferro Vito 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHydrological connectivity inside the soil is related to the spatial patterns inside the soil (i.e., the structural connectivity). This, in turn, is directly associated with the physical and the chemical processes at a molecular level (i.e., the functional connectivity). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry can be successfully applied to reveal both structural and functional components of soil hydrological connectivity. In the present study, the low field NMR relaxometry was applied on water suspended soils sampled at the upstream‐ and downstream‐end of three different length plots. Also the sediments collected from the storage tanks at the end of each plot were water suspended and monitored by NMR relaxometry. The results from the NMR investigations were elaborated by using a mathematical approach in order to quantify both the functional and structural connectivity components. In particular, following integration of the T1 distribution curve, an S‐shaped curve was obtained. It revealed two plateaus corresponding to the shortest (low component) and the longest (high component) intervals of relaxation times, respectively. According to relaxometry theory, the two T1 intervals, associated to the different plateaus, were attributed to micro and macro soil pores, respectively. The two T1 intervals were used to define a functional connectivity index, while the central part of the S‐shaped distribution was used to define a structural connectivity index. Here we provide the physical meaning of the our mathematical approach, thereby revealing that functional connectivity index increases with plot length, as a result of a selective eroded particle transport. Moreover, the relationship structural connectivity index versus plot length resulted quasi‐independent of grainsize distribution, whereas the values of the structural connectivity index for the sediment samples resulted lower than those obtained for the corresponding soils.
A toxicogenomics approach to screen chlorinated flame retardants tris(2‐chloroethyl) phosphate and tris(2‐chloroisopropyl) phosphate for potential health effects
Authors: Krivoshiev Boris V. , Beemster Gerrit T.S. , Sprangers Katrien , Blust Ronny , Husson Steven J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTris(2‐chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is a pervasive flame retardant that has been identified as a chemical of concern given its health effects and therefore its use has since been tightly regulated. Tris(2‐chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), an analogue of TCEP, is believed to be its replacement. However, compared to TCEP, little is known of the toxicological impacts of TCIPP. We used RNA sequencing as unbiased and sensitive tool to identify and compare effects on a transcriptome level of TCEP and TCIPP in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. We identified that compared to other flame retardants, TCEP and TCIPP had little cytotoxicity. Treatment with sub‐cytotoxic concentrations of the two compounds revealed that both chemicals elicited similar effects; both compounds were found to affect genes involved in immune responses and steroid hormone biosynthesis, while also affecting xenobiotic metabolism pathways in a similar manner. Specifically for effects on immune responses, both compounds were shown to alter the expression of the receptor of the potent and pleiotropic complement component, C5a. Additionally, expression of genes encoding for effector proteins involved in the complement cascade along with other potent inflammatory regulators were found altered in response to TCEP and TCIPP, further emphasizing their potential effects on immune function. Taken together, given that TCIPP elicited similar effects compared to TCEP, and at lower concentrations, the potential health effects of TCIPP need to be further studied for a complete risk assessment of the compound.
Thirteen week toxicity study of dietary l‐tryptophan in rats with a recovery period of 5 weeks
Authors: Shibui Yusuke , Matsumoto Hideki , Masuzawa Yoko , Ohishi Takumi , Fukuwatari Tsutomu , Shibata Katsumi , Sakai Ryosei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough l‐tryptophan is nutritionally important and widely used in medical applications, toxicity data for its oral administration are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of an experimental diet containing added l‐tryptophan at doses of 0 (basal diet), 1.25%, 2.5% and 5.0% when administered to Sprague–Dawley rats for 13 weeks. There were no toxicological changes in clinical signs, ophthalmology, urinalysis, hematology, necropsy, organ weight and histopathology between control rats and those fed additional l‐tryptophan. Body weight gain and food consumption significantly decreased throughout the administration period in males in the 2.5% group and in both sexes in the 5.0% group. At the end of the dosing period, decreases in water intake in males in the 5.0% group and in serum glucose in females in the 5.0% group were observed. The changes described above were considered toxicologically significant; however, they were not observed after a 5 week recovery period, suggesting reversibility. Consequently, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level of l‐tryptophan in the present study was 1.25% for males and 2.5% for females (mean intake of l‐tryptophan: 779 mg kg–1 body weight day–1 [males] and 1765 mg kg–1 body weight day–1 [females]). As the basal diet used in this study contained 0.27% of proteinaceous l‐tryptophan, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level of overall l‐tryptophan was 1.52% for males and 2.77% for females (mean intake of overall l‐tryptophan: 948 mg kg–1 body weight day–1 (males) and 1956 mg kg–1 body weight day–1 (females)). We conclude that l‐tryptophan has a low toxicity profile in terms of human use.
Growth of doxorubicin‐resistant undifferentiated spindle‐cell sarcoma PDOX is arrested by metabolic targeting with recombinant methioninase
Authors: Igarashi Kentaro , Li Shukuan , Han Qinghong , Tan Yuying , Kawaguchi Kei , Murakami Takashi , Kiyuna Tasuku , Miyake Kentaro , Li Yunfeng , Nelson Scott D. , Dry Sarah M. , Singh Arun S. , Elliott Irmina A. , Russell Tara A. , Eckardt Mark A. , Yamamoto Norio , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Kimura Hiroaki , Miwa Shinji , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Eilber Fritz C. , Hoffman Robert M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUndifferentiated spindle‐cell sarcoma (USCS) is a recalcitrant ­cancer in need of individualized therapy. A high‐grade USCS from a striated muscle of a patient was grown orthotopically in the right biceps femoris muscle of nude mice to establish a patient‐derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model. In a previous study, we evaluated the efficacy of standard first‐line chemotherapy of doxorubicin (DOX), gemcitabine (GEM) combined with docetaxel (DOC), compared to pazopanib (PAZ), a multi‐targeting tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor, in an USCS PDOX model. In the present study, mice‐bearing the USCS PDOX tumors were randomized into the following groups when tumor volume reached 100 mm3: G1, untreated control without treatment; G2, DOX (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, weekly, for 2 weeks); G3, L‐methionine α‐deamino‐γ‐mercaptomethane lyase (recombinant methioninase [rMETase]) (100 U/mouse, i.p., daily, for 2 weeks). Tumor size and body weight were measured with calipers and a digital balance twice a week. The methionine level of supernatants derived from sonicated tumors was also measured. rMETase inhibited tumor growth, measured by tumor volume, compared to untreated controls and the DOX‐treated group on day 14 after initiation of treatment: control (G1): 347.6 ± 88 mm3; DOX (G2): 329.5 ± 79 mm3, P = 0.670; rMETase (G3): 162.6 ± 51 mm3, P = 0.0003. The mouse body weight of the treated mice was not significantly different from the untreated controls. Tumor L‐methionine levels were reduced after the rMETase‐treatment compared to untreated control and pre‐rMETase treatment. We previously reported efficacy of rMETase against Ewing's sarcoma and melanoma in a PDOX models. These studies suggest clinical development of rMETase, especially in recalcitrant cancers such as sarcoma.
Nanos2 promotes differentiation of chicken (Gallus gallus) embryonic stem cells to male germ cells
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Bi Yulin , Wang Yingjie , Li Dong , He Nana , Wang Man , Jin Jing , Zuo Qisheng , Zhang Yani , Li Bichun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractNanos2 is an evolutionarily conserved RNA‐binding protein containing 2 CCHC‐type zinc finger motives. Here, we report that Nanos2 is strongly expressed in the testis compared to other tissues in chicken (Gallus gallus). Overexpression and knockout plasmid vectors were constructed, and in‐vitro Cas9/gRNA digestion and T7 endonuclease I (T7E1) assay indicated that Nanos2‐g1 possessed the highest knockout activity. In vitro and in vivo, Nanos2 overexpression accelerated the production of embryoid bodies (EBs) and SSC‐like cells and promoted cvh, c‐kit, and integrin α6 expression. Immunofluorescence staining, periodic acid schiff (PAS) and flow cytometry (FCM) assay showed that primordial germ cells (PGCs) and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) formation were significantly promoted. On the contrary, Nanos2 knockout delayed the production of EBs and SSC‐like cells and correspondingly reduced cvh, c‐kit, and integrin α6 expression. Simultaneously, the quantity of PGCs and SSCs was blocked. Collectively, these results uncovered a novel function of Nanos2 involved in chicken male germ cell differentiation, where it acts as a facilitator.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated knockout of Lim‐domain only four retards organ of Corti cell growth
Authors: Rathinam Rajamani , Rosati Rita , Jamesdaniel Samson 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLim‐domain only 4 (LMO4) plays a critical role in mediating the ototoxic side‐effects of cisplatin, a highly effective anti‐cancer drug. However, the signaling mechanism by which cochlear LMO4 mediates otopathology is yet to be fully understood. Knockout cell culture models are useful tools for investigating the functional roles of novel genes and delineating associated signaling pathways. Therefore, LMO4 knockout organ of Corti cells were generated by using the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR‐associated protein 9) system. Successful knockout of LMO4 in UB/OC1 cells was verified by the absence of LMO4 protein bands in immunoblots. Though the Knockout of LMO4 retarded the growth rate and the migratory potential of the cells it did not inhibit their long‐term viability as the LMO4 knockout UB/OC1 cells were able to survive, proliferate, and form colonies. In addition, the knockout of LMO4 did not alter the expression of myosin VIIa, a biomarker of hair cells, suggesting that the knockout cells retain important characteristic features of cochlear sensory receptor cells. Thus, the findings of this study indicate that CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simple and versatile method for knocking out genes of interest in organ of Corti cells and that LMO4 knockout UB/OC1 cells are viable experimental models for studying the functional role of LMO4 in ototoxicity.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Bis‐Benzothiazole Derivatives as DNA Minor Groove Binding Agents
Authors: Yang Ming‐Li , Zhang Huan , Wang Wei‐Wei , Wang Xiu‐Jun 
Published: November 2017

A series of novel bis‐benzothiazole derivatives with head‐to‐head orientation were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anti‐proliferative activities on U937, HL60, and HeLa cells. A significant part of the targets exhibited considerable in vitro anticancer activity, and some of them were more potent than the reference 5‐FU. Molecular modeling, fluorescence, and viscosimetry studies revealed that these compounds could bind into the minor groove of DNA. Amongst them, the most active compound 7 with IC50 in a range of 6.76 to 8.67 μM against the tested three cell lines, which was 1.46–2.47 and 3.48–4.93 times more potent than 5‐FU and Hoechst 33258, respectively, warrant further investigations.
Investigation of the interactions between aptamer and misfolded proteins: From monomer and oligomer to fibril by single‐molecule force spectroscopy
Authors: Zheng Yan , Wang Qing , Yang Xiaohai , Li Zhiping , Gao Lei , Zhang Hua , Nie Wenyan , Geng Xiuhua , Wang Kemin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIncreasing knowledge on the understanding interactions of aptamer with misfolded proteins (including monomer, oligomer, and amyloid fibril) is crucial for development of aggregation inhibitors and diagnosis of amyloid diseases. Herein, the interactions of lysozyme monomer–, oligomer‐, and amyloid fibril–aptamer were investigated using single‐molecule force spectroscopy. The results revealed that the aptamer screened against lysozyme monomer could also bind to oligomer and amyloid fibril, in spite of the recognition at a lower binding probability. It may be attributed to the inherent structural differences of misfolded proteins and the flexible conformation of aptamer. In addition, dynamic force spectra showed that there were similar dissociation paths in the dissociation process of lysozyme monomer–, oligomer‐, and amyloid fibril–aptamer complexes. It showed that the dissociation only passed 1 energy barrier from the binding state to the detachment. However, the dynamic parameters suggested that the oligomer‐ and amyloid fibril–aptamer were more stable than lysozyme monomer–aptamer. The phenomena may result from the exposure of aptamer‐recognized sequences on the surface and the electrostatic interactions. This work demonstrated that single‐molecule force spectroscopy could be a powerful tool to study the binding behavior of the aptamer with misfolded proteins at single‐molecule level, providing abundant information for researches and comprehensive applications of aptamer probes in diagnosis of amyloid diseases.
Retracted: Power macro‐modeling technique for NoC‐based homogeneous layered 3D ICs
Authors: Durrani Yaseer Arafat 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe above article, published online on 16 November 2017 in Wiley Online Library1, has been retracted by agreement between the Editor‐in‐Chief and John Wiley & Sons. The retraction has been agreed due to major overlap with an article submitted to the Journal of Circuits, Systems, and Computers and published on 7 July 20172. The author has been informed of this action.
Display stability of fresh and thawed lamb supplemented with vitamin E or sprayed with an antioxidant borage seed extract
Authors: Bellés Marc , Alonso Verónica , Roncalés Pedro , Beltrán Jose A 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe commercialization of thawed lamb packaged in modified atmosphere and maintained on display could serve as an alternative capable of satisfying the requirements of both customers and distributors. However, previous studies have suggested that lipid oxidation may accelerate post‐thawing because peroxidation occurs during frozen storage, thereby leading to rapid and severe secondary lipid oxidation. The addition of an antioxidant compound either in the lamb diet or in the packaged meat could resolve this problem. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effect of dietary vitamin E (1000 mg of dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate per kg of basal diet) and the spraying of borage seed aqueous extract (10% p/v) on the quality of fresh and thawed lamb leg chops.RESULTSBoth borage extract and vitamin E improved colour (as measured via instrumental and visual assessment of colour) and lipid stability (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) of fresh and thawed lamb throughout display, although neither of them had any antimicrobial effect. Freezing/thawing accelerated bone marrow darkening and reduced redness but delayed microbial growth.CONCLUSIONBoth of these antioxidant strategies would be very profitable for the preservation of lamb meat, allowing thawed meat packaged in a modified atmosphere to be commercialized. However, additional studies should be carried out to determine how bone darkening in thawed chops can be avoided. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Best approximation properties in spaces of measurable functions
Authors: Ciesielski Maciej , Lewicki Grzegorz 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe research proximinality of μ‐sequentially compact sets and μ‐compact sets in measurable function spaces. Next we show a correspondence between the Kadec–Klee property for convergence in measure and μ‐compactness of the sets in Banach function spaces. Also the property S is investigated in Fréchet spaces and employed to provide the Kadec–Klee property for local convergence in measure. We discuss complete criteria for continuity of metric projection in Fréchet spaces with respect to the Hausdorff distance. Finally, we present the necessary and sufficient condition for continuous metric selection onto a one‐dimensional subspace in sequence Lorentz spaces .
Combining Click Sulfur(VI)‐Fluoride Exchange with Photoiniferters: A Facile, Fast, and Efficient Strategy for Postpolymerization Modification
Authors: Wang Peixi , Dong Yishi , Lu Xiaowen , Wu Zhaoqiang , Chen Hong 
Published: November 2017

Abstract“Click” type reactions represent the currently most prevalent postpolymerization strategy for the preparation of functional polymeric materials. Herein, a novel photoiniferter agent 4‐(fluorosulfonyl)benzyl diethylcarbamodithioate (FSB‐DECT) containing both dithiocarbamates and sulfonyl fluoride moieties is developed to act as both photoinitiator and click sulfur(VI)‐fluoride exchange (SuFEx) agent. The photopolymerization behavior of FSB‐DECT is demonstrated via standard photoiniferter‐mediated polymerization for various types of monomer including N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), glycidyl methacrylate, and vinyl acetate (VAc). Gel permeation chromatography data show that the polymerization is relatively well controlled, with polydispersity indices of the product homopolymers in the range of 1.3–1.6. 1H and 19F NMR spectra and “reinitiated” photopolymerization indicate that the sulfonyl fluoride and diethyldithiocarbamyl groups remain at the respective ends of the homopolymer chains. Furthermore, using the sulfonyl fluoride end‐functionalized poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) as a model polymer, the utility of the SuFEx reaction for efficient postpolymerization functionalization is demonstrated.
Self‐Assembly and Surface Patterning of Polyferrocenylsilane‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Choueiri Rachelle M. , Klinkova Anna , Pearce Samuel , Manners Ian , Kumacheva Eugenia 
Published: November 2017

AbstractChemical and topographic surface patterning of inorganic polymer‐functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) and their self‐assembly in nanostructures with controllable architectures enable the design of new NP‐based materials. Capping of NPs with inorganic polymer ligands, such as metallopolymers, can lead to new synergetic properties of individual NPs or their assemblies, and enhance NP processing in functional materials. Here, for gold NPs functionalized with polyferrocenylsilane, two distinct triggers are used to induce attraction between the polymer ligands and achieve NP self‐assembly or topographic surface patterning of individual polymer‐capped NPs. Control of polymer–solvent interactions is achieved by either changing the solvent composition or by the electrooxidation of polyferrocenylsilane ligands. These results expand the range of polymer ligands used for NP assembly and patterning, and can be used to explore new self‐assembly modalities. The utilization of electrochemical polymer oxidation stimuli at easily accessible potentials broadens the range of stimuli leading to NP self‐assembly and patterning.
PEGylated Precision Segments Based on Sequence‐Defined Thiolactone Oligomers
Authors: Celasun Sensu , Du Prez Filip E. , Börner Hans G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA straightforward access route to multifunctional block copolymers, combining a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block and a monodisperse segment with discrete monomer sequence based on thiolactone chemistry, is described. Exploiting an inverse conjugation strategy on a PEG preloaded poly(styrene) synthesis resin enables the convenient introduction of a predefined PEG‐block at the α‐terminus of thiolactone‐based sequence‐defined oligomers. Reaction conditions for the stepwise, submonomer synthesis at polar solid supports are optimized, using sequential synthesis on a model resin that enables to isolate and determine the purity of the oligomer segments by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis. The reaction conditions are used to synthesize PEGylated 5mer precision polymers with defined monomer sequence in good yields and high purity to offer an interesting platform of macromolecules with potential for biomedical applications.