bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Spirooxindoles Using Surface‐Modified TiO2 Nanoparticles as Heterogeneous Acid Catalyst
Authors: Tailor Yogesh Kumar , Khandelwal Sarita , Verma Kanchan , Gopal Ram , Kumar Mahendra 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAn efficient and diversity oriented synthetic protocol has been presented to synthesize spirooxindoles using isocyanide based multicomponent reaction in the presence of surface modified TiO2 nanoparticles as recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst. This convergent synthetic protocol incorporates structural complexity and molecular diversity in molecular structures with atom economy, synthetic efficiency and operational simplicity in a time and cost‐effective manner. The recyclability and reusability of the catalyst make the present synthetic protocol economically viable for industrial processes.
Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Interpenetrating Polymer and Its Applications in Protein Adsorption and Magnetite Loading
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Li Xueting , Lu Xihua 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this study, we prepared interpenetrating polymers as nanocarrier systems for protein adsorption and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) loading. Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) nanogels composed of crosslinked poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) were firstly prepared, which possessed both pH and thermo‐responsive properties. On the one hand, the model protein (bull serum albumin (BSA)) was loaded into PNIPAM/PAA IPN nanogels. The effect of PAA content on the amount of BSA loading was investigated by controlling the temperatures and pH values. When the adsorption temperature was higher than the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM and the pH value was lower than the pKa of PAA, it was more conductive to capture BSA. On the other hand, Fe3O4 NPs were encapsulated by in situ redox of iron cations in the interior of PNIPAM/PAA IPN nanogels. As the PAA content in the IPN nanogels increased and attracted more quantity of iron ions, the amount of loaded Fe3O4 NPs increased, which resulted in larger saturation magnetization of the magnetic nanogels but restricted the deswelling behaviors.
Synthesis of (+)‐Patulolide C Using R‐(+)‐γ‐Valerolactone as a Chiral Synthon.
Authors: Datrika Rajender , Kallam Srinivasa Reddy , Gajare Vikas , Khobare Sandip , Rama Veera Swamy , Kommi Muralikrishna , Hindupur Rama Mohan , Vidavulur Siddaiah , Tadikonda Pratap V. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe total synthesis of (+)‐Patulolide‐C is accomplished by using enantiopure R‐(+)‐γ‐valerolactone & R‐(+)‐epichlorohydrin as chiral synthons. The strategy adopted for the synthesis is a convergent approach wherein two advanced intermediates were synthesized independently using the chiral synthons and coupled to achieve the skeleton of Patulolide‐C. The important synthetic steps of the synthesis are two carbon homologation of the cyclic lactol, Julia olefination of enone with sulfone in DME, DIBAl‐H mediated regioselective opening of benzylidine acetal, selective oxidation of primary alcohol to aldehyde using BAIB/TEMPO and lactonization of seco‐acid adopting Yamaguchi protocol to afford the macrolide skeleton.
Peroxo Compounds of Vanadium(V) and Niobium(V) as Potent Inhibitors of Calcineurin Activity towards RII‐Phosphopeptide
Authors: Saikia Gangutri , Gogoi Sandhya Rani , Boruah Jeena Jyoti , Ram Babul Moni , Begum Pakiza , Ahmed Kabirun , Sharma Mitu , Ramakrishna Gayatri , Ramasarma Tangirala , Islam Nashreen S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCalcineurin (CN) is a major calmodulin binding serine/threonine phosphatase which plays a crucial role in numerous mammalian signal transduction pathways. Calcineurin inhibitors represent a valuable tool for elucidating CN dependent cellular processes. The present work deals with the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a new polymer anchored peroxo niobium complex, [Nb2(O2)6(carboxylate)2]‐PA (Nb2) [PA=poly(sodium acrylate)], and identification of a set comprising of neat homoleptic as well as polymer immobilized peroxo complexes of vanadium(V) and niobium(V) as potent CN inhibitors. The in‐vitro effect of the complexes on calmodulin mediated dephosphorylation activity of CN was investigated using a physiological substrate of calcineurin, RII‐phosphopeptide as well as a non‐protein substrate p‐nitrophenyl phosphate (p‐NPP). Enzyme kinetic analysis data revealed that the compounds inhibit function of CN via uncompetitive pathway with Ki values ranging between 1–3 μM, suggesting the formation of an enzyme‐inhibitor‐substrate complex during the course of inhibition.
Development of Flexible Energy Storage Device by Using Polymer Electrolyte Based on Ionic Liquid
Authors: Jeong Hyeon Taek , Du Jin Feng , Kim Yong Ryeol 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA flexible supercapacitor composed of the reduced graphene oxide / acid‐treated single‐wall carbon nanotubes (rGO/ASWCNTs) composite (weight ratio of 1:9) electrode with the polymer based gel electrolyte was fabricated via spray coating technique. The ionic liquid based polymer electrolyte (IL‐b‐PE) was prepared by using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4), which was able to fabricate full device as flexible supercapacitor. The electrochemical performances evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge / discharge (GCD) measurements. The flexible supercapacitor with the ionic liquid based polymer electrolyte (IL‐b‐PE) exhibited enhanced electrochemical performances compared to the flexible supercapacitor with PVA‐H3PO4 gel electrolyte. The electrochemical properties of the flexible supercapacitor assembled by IL‐b‐PE were investigated as a function of bending cycles. The cycling stability of the flexible supercapacitor was analysed as the function of bending test (0∼300) and GCD cycles (0∼4000). The specific capacitance value of the flexible supercapacitor (unbent) was 62.4 F g−1, which decreased to 55.7 F g−1 (89.3% retention after 1000 GCD cycles. The flexible supercapacitor was retained 64.6% (40.3 F g−1) of its initial capacitance value (62.4 F g−1) after 300 bending with application 4000th GCD cycles.
Sonication‐Assisted Synthesis of Hydantoin Derivative‐Decorated Graphene Oxide‐Based Sensor for Guanine
Authors: Sasmal Supriya , Haldar Debasish 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe report an eco‐friendly and facile synthetic protocol for the fabrication of well‐decorated hydantoin derivatives on the surface of graphene oxide by sonication assisted exfoliation and assembly. The hydantoin derivatives were synthesized from urea and L‐phenylalanine/L‐tryptophan/ L‐leucine by one‐pot microwave‐assisted solvent free synthesis. The X‐ray crystallography shed some light on the structure and assembly pattern of the hydantoin derivatives. The formation of the hybrid materials were successfully characterized by AFM, FE‐SEM, FT‐IR, Raman, UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The resulted hybrid material acts as highly sensitive turn off guanine sensor. The approach and findings presented here could also be extended to the fabrication of sensors for other biologically active compounds.
Accelerated Synthesis of Protected Peptides in a Continuous‐Flow Fixed‐Bed Reactor
Authors: Szloszár Aliz , Fülöp Ferenc , Mándity István M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractContinuous flow technologies are of considerable current interest. These methods offer several advantages over conventional batch procedures, such as faster heat and mass transfer, shorter reaction time, etc. Herein we show the development of a continuous procedure for the solid‐phase synthesis of protected peptide sequences. Importantly, the synthesis of peptides is more than twice as fast as methods in the published literature. Nonetheless, the protected sequences are constructed in a highly sustainable way, because solvent usage is an order of magnitude lower than those in known literature technologies. The developed method has shown excellent side‐chain protecting group tolerance with a wide range of chemical functionalities. The efficacy of the technology is demonstrated by the synthesis of various calcitonin and corticotropin fragments. Importantly, the products formed with excellent conversion and were isolated in high purity.
Effects of soil origin and current microclimate conditions on nitrogen mineralization in forest soil on different slope aspects in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Hishi Takuo , Urakawa Rieko , Shibata Hideaki 
Published: July 2017

AbstractClimate change may alter the rate of soil N transformation. Therefore, it is important to investigate how climate conditions and soil properties affect soil N transformation. In the present study, soil transplantation experiments were performed using soils on a xeric south‐facing slope and a mesic north‐facing slope in cool‐temperate broad‐leaved natural forests. Soil N transformation rates and leaching between slopes were compared using the resin‐core method to clarify whether soil history (soil origins) or current environmental condition (locations) is the most important factor affecting soil N dynamics. The annual N mineralization did not differ significantly among soil from different origins and locations. In both locations, the annual net ammonification in south‐facing soils was higher than that in north‐facing soils, whereas the annual nitrification of north‐facing soil was higher than that of south‐facing soil. N mineralization and nitrification in north‐facing soil were significantly higher during the growing season. N mineralization in south‐facing soil was not significantly different between seasons. The interaction effect among seasons, soil origin, and location on net ammonification was significant. Net ammonification was higher in south‐facing than in north‐facing soils, and on south‐facing than on north‐facing slopes during the dormant season, suggesting that environmental change during winter affected the ammonification of south‐facing soil. During the dormant season, N mineralization and leaching were not enhanced in soil of either origin at the transplanted locations, compared with the original locations, suggesting that, in this region, snow regime changes might not enhance the risk of N loss from forest ecosystems.
Changes in severity of psychosocial difficulties in adolescents accessing specialist mental healthcare in England (2009–2014)
Authors: Edbrooke‐Childs J. , Deighton J. , Wolpert M. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTIn England, clinicians and professional organisations report that higher numbers of adolescents with more severe psychosocial difficulties are accessing specialist services. A lack of national data on patterns of access to specialist services means there is limited information to inform policy. We examined whether severity of psychosocial difficulties in adolescents accessing mental healthcare has changed over time. Adolescents seen in specialist child mental healthcare in 2009 vs. 2014 were matched on demographics and problem types using propensity score matching; final sample N = 2776 adolescents. We found: 1) stability over time in overall severity of difficulties, 2) an increase in severity of young women's emotional problems, and 3) a decrease in adolescents' conduct problems. The findings suggest the intriguing possibility that the criteria for accessing mental healthcare are not universally rising, but rather the patterns in access to specialist services may mirror epidemiological changes in severity of psychosocial difficulties in the population.
Childhood cumulative contextual risk and depression diagnosis among young adults: The mediating roles of adolescent alcohol use and perceived social support
Authors: Patwardhan Irina , Mason W. Alex , Savolainen Jukka , Chmelka Mary B. , Miettunen Jouko , Järvelin Marjo‐Riitta 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThis study examined associations between cumulative contextual risk in childhood and depression diagnosis in early adulthood, testing two adolescent mediating mechanisms, alcohol use and perceived social support from family and friends, while accounting for the stability of internalizing problems over time and examining possible gender moderation. Multiple group mediation analyses were conducted using parent‐ and adolescent‐report as well as hospital records data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (N = 6963). Our analyses demonstrated that the association between cumulative contextual risk in childhood and depression diagnosis in adulthood is mediated by adolescent alcohol use and perceived social support both for boys and girls. The findings highlight potentially malleable mediating mechanisms associated with depression in vulnerable youth that could be targets in selective depression preventive interventions.
Emotional intelligence and social skills on self‐efficacy in Secondary Education students. Are there gender differences?
Authors: Salavera Carlos , Usán Pablo , Jarie Laurane 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTSelf‐efficacy affects our students' academic results, which may be related to people's social skills and emotional intelligence. This study included 1402 (50.71% males) Secondary Education Spanish students (12–17 years), and analysed the relation of self‐efficacy with emotional intelligence and social skills. It showed how these constructs were related, and how the self‐efficacy perceived by students varied according to their social skills and emotional intelligence. Gender did not influence self‐efficacy, social skills and emotional intelligence. These variables showed similar correlation indices in females and males. Self‐efficacy was related with social skills and emotional intelligence in Secondary Education students, but this relation was not gender‐sensitive. More studies and research are needed to study and describe these variables according to gender from other perspectives. One proposal is to investigate the association between gender identity and self‐efficacy and social skills and emotional intelligence to better understand how these constructs participate in adolescent development.
Converging from branching to linear metrics on Markov chains
Authors: BACCI GIORGIO , BACCI GIOVANNI , LARSEN KIM G. , MARDARE RADU 
Published: July 2017

We study two well-known linear-time metrics on Markov chains (MCs), namely, the strong and strutter trace distances. Our interest in these metrics is motivated by their relation to the probabilistic linear temporal logic (LTL)-model checking problem: we prove that they correspond to the maximal differences in the probability of satisfying the same LTL and LTL−X(LTL without next operator) formulas, respectively.The threshold problem for these distances (whether their value exceeds a given threshold) is NP-hard and not known to be decidable. Nevertheless, we provide an approximation schema where each lower and upper approximant is computable in polynomial time in the size of the MC.The upper approximants are bisimilarity-like pseudometrics (hence, branching-time distances) that converge point-wise to the linear-time metrics. This convergence is interesting in itself, because it reveals a non-trivial relation between branching and linear-time metric-based semantics that does not hold in equivalence-based semantics.
Organocatalyzed synthesis of fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers)
Authors: Park Nathaniel H. , Gomes Gabriel dos Passos , Fevre Mareva , Jones Gavin O. , Alabugin Igor V. , Hedrick James L. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe preparation of high-performance fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers) has received little attention compared to the corresponding poly(aryl ethers), despite the excellent physical properties displayed by many polysulfides. Herein, we report a highly efficient route to fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers) via an organocatalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution of silyl-protected dithiols. This approach requires low catalyst loadings, proceeds rapidly at room temperature, and is effective for many different perfluorinated or highly activated aryl monomers. Computational investigations of the reaction mechanism reveal an unexpected, concerted SNAr mechanism, with the organocatalyst playing a critical, dual-activation role in facilitating the process. Not only does this remarkable reactivity enable rapid access to fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers), but also opens new avenues for the processing, fabrication, and functionalization of fluorinated materials with easy removal of the volatile catalyst and TMSF byproducts.
Photo-enhanced Aqueous Solubilization of an Azo-compound
Authors: Ishikawa Minoru , Ohzono Takuya , Yamaguchi Takao , Norikane Yasuo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe previously showed that disruption of intermolecular interactions, e.g., by lowering the molecular planarity and/or introducing bent structures, improves the aqueous solubility of compounds, and based upon that work, we hypothesized that azobenzenetrans-to-cisphotoswitching could also be utilized to enhance the aqueous solubility of compounds. Here, we demonstrate that UV/visible light irradiation can reversibly switch the aqueous solubilization of an anti-cancer candidate drug, a low-molecular-weight kinase inhibitor bearing an azobenzene moiety. The increase of solubilization associated with UV-inducedtrans-to-cisconversion may have clinical relevance, because the time-scale of thermalcis-to-transreversion at 37 °C is longer than that of oral absorption.
The neuroprotective effect of hesperidin in NMDA-induced retinal injury acts by suppressing oxidative stress and excessive calpain activation
Authors: Maekawa Shigeto , Sato Kota , Fujita Kosuke , Daigaku Reiko , Tawarayama Hiroshi , Murayama Namie , Moritoh Satoru , Yabana Takeshi , Shiga Yukihiro , Omodaka Kazuko , Maruyama Kazuichi , Nishiguchi Koji M. , Nakazawa Toru 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe found that hesperidin, a plant-derived bioflavonoid, may be a candidate agent for neuroprotective treatment in the retina, after screening 41 materials for anti-oxidative properties in a primary retinal cell culture under oxidative stress. We found that the intravitreal injection of hesperidin in mice prevented reductions in markers of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and RGC death after N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitotoxicity. Hesperidin treatment also reduced calpain activation, reactive oxygen species generation and TNF-α gene expression. Finally, hesperidin treatment improved electrophysiological function, measured with visual evoked potential, and visual function, measured with optomotry. Thus, we found that hesperidin suppressed a number of cytotoxic factors associated with NMDA-induced cell death signaling, such as oxidative stress, over-activation of calpain, and inflammation, thereby protecting the RGCs in mice. Therefore, hesperidin may have potential as a therapeutic supplement for protecting the retina against the damage associated with excitotoxic injury, such as occurs in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Astragaloside IV protects against podocyte injury via SERCA2-dependent ER stress reduction and AMPKα-regulated autophagy induction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Guo Hengjiang , Wang Yi , Zhang Xuemei , Zang Yingjun , Zhang Yang , Wang Li , Wang Hao , Wang Yunman , Cao Aili , Peng Wen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy are associated with diabetic nephropathy. Here we investigated the effect of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the underlying mechanism involving ER stress and autophagy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and high glucose (HG)-incubated podocytes. The diabetic mice developed progressive albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis within 8 weeks, which were significantly ameliorated by AS-IV treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, diabetes or HG-induced podocyte apoptosis was markedly attenuated by AS-IV, paralleled by a marked remission in ER stress and a remarkable restoration in impaired autophagy, which were associated with a significant improvement in the expression of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) and AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) phosphorylation, respectively. Knockdown of SERCA2 in podocytes induced ER stress and largely abolished the protective effect of AS-IV, but had no obvious effect on the expression of autophagy-associated proteins. On the other hand, blockade of either autophagy induction or AMPKα activation could also significantly mitigate AS-IV-induced beneficial effect. Collectively, these results suggest that AS-IV prevented the progression of DN, which is mediated at least in part by SERCA2-dependent ER stress attenuation and AMPKα-promoted autophagy induction.
Salmonella typhimurium-induced IL-1 release from primary human monocytes requires NLRP3 and can occur in the absence of pyroptosis
Authors: Diamond Catherine E. , Leong Keith Weng Kit , Vacca Maurizio , Rivers-Auty Jack , Brough David , Mortellaro Alessandra 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLarge molecular complexes known as inflammasomes regulate the release of IL-1β from immune cells in response to infection and injury. Salmonella typhimurium infection is reported to activate NLRP3 and NLRC4 inflammasomes which are subsequently involved in pyroptosis of the cell and pathogen clearance. However, the response to S. typhimurium in primary human monocytes has not been studied in detail. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of S. typhimurium on inflammasomes in primary human monocytes. Much of the previous research in the field has been conducted in murine models and human THP-1 cells, which may not reflect the responses of primary human monocytes. Here, we report that inhibiting NLRP3 with the selective inhibitor MCC950, blocked release of IL-1β and the related cytokine IL-1α from primary human monocytes in response to S. typhimurium. Additionally, under these conditions S. typhimurium-induced IL-1 release occurred independently of pyroptosis. We propose that IL-1β release without pyroptosis may occur in early-recruited monocytes to regulate a maximal innate immune response to Salmonella infection, allowing a sustained inflammatory signal. This insight into the mechanisms involved in IL-1 release from primary human monocytes highlights major differences between immune cell types, and the defences they employ during bacterial infection.