bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and bioavailability of calcium‐chelating peptide complex from tilapia skin hydrolysates
Authors: Chen Jun , Qiu Xujian , Hao Gengxin , Zhang Meng , Weng Wuyin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDWith the continuous improvement in material life, the generation of fish by‐products and the market demand for calcium supplements have been increasing in China. Therefore a calcium‐chelating peptide complex (CPC) from tilapia skins was prepared and its effect on calcium (Ca)‐deficient mice was investigated.RESULTSThe molecular weight distribution of CPC mainly ranged from 2000 to 180 Da, and its contents of complete amino acids and free amino acids were 85.30 and 8.67% (w/w) respectively. Scanning electron microscopy images and Fourier transform infrared data revealed that Ca crystals were bound with gelatin hydrolysates via interaction between Ca ions and NH/CN groups. When Ca‐deficient mice were fed CPC and CaCO3 respectively for 4 weeks, no significant differences in serum biochemistry or bone mineral density were found. However, the length, weight, Ca content and hydroxyproline content of the femur, Ca absorption and body weight gain of mice fed CPC were significantly higher than those of mice fed CaCO3.CONCLUSIONIt is concluded that the prepared CPC could promote bone formation via better bioavailability of Ca and an increase in bone collagen. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
The ORAC Assay: Mathematical Analysis of the Rate Equations and Some Practical Considerations
Authors: Arellano Juan B. , Mellado‐Ortega Elena , Naqvi K. Razi 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), a method widely used for measuring the total antioxidant capacity of biological samples, can also be used for the determination of the relative reactivity of an antioxidant compound (XH) by examining the dependence of the rate of consumption of the probe (PH) on the concentration of XH; initial conditions are chosen in such a way that the rate of consumption of the starting reactants may be assumed to follow a drastically simplified kinetic scheme, and the steady‐state approximation for the concentration of the azo compound peroxyl (ROO•) radical is invoked to simplify the analysis. Here we first attempted to find an analytical solution to the coupled first‐order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the minimal ORAC kinetic system, applying Lie symmetry group theory without any precondition. However, the Lie symmetry transformations applied to the Chini equation, which appeared after mathematical transformations, showed that the form of the coefficients of the Chini equation precluded the analytical solution of the minimal ORAC kinetic system through symmetry reduction. Consequently, an approximate analytical solution was sought, valid for the case when the bimolecular rate constant of XH with ROO• (i.e., kx) was much larger than that of PH with ROO• (i.e., kp). Using numerical solutions of the original set of ODEs of the ORAC kinetic system, the quality of the approximate solution was inspected under conditions that correspond to those employed in several ORAC methods together with a low initial concentration of the azo compound radical initiator. The simulations allowed us to conclude that the approximate analytical solution of the ODEs of the minimal ORAC kinetic system was not entirely devoid of academic interest, but its applicability was restricted to conditions where both kx ≫ kp and the initial concentration of XH was higher than that of PH.
Synthesis and Validation of Functional Nanogels as pH‐Sensors in the Hair Follicle
Authors: Dimde Mathias , Sahle Fitsum Feleke , Wycisk Virginia , Steinhilber Dirk , Camacho Luis Cuellar , Licha Kai , Lademann Jürgen , Haag Rainer 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn the present study, a pH responsive dendritic polyglycerol nanogel (dPG‐NG) is developed to measure the pH values inside the hair follicle (HF) using an ex vivo porcine ear model. The macromolecular precursors are labeled with a pH sensitive indodicarbocyanine dye (pH‐IDCC) and a control dye (indocarbocyanine dye: ICC) and crosslinked via a mild and surfactant‐free Thiol–Michael reaction using an inverse nanoprecipitation method. With this method, it is possible to prepare tailor‐made particles in the range of 100 nm to 1 µm with a narrow polydispersity. The dPG‐NGs are characterized using dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and atomic force microscopy. Systematic analysis of confocal microscope images of histological sections of the skin enables accurate determination of the pH gradient inside the HF. The results show that these novel pH‐nanosensors deeply penetrate the skin via the follicular pathway and the pH of the pig hair follicles increase from 6.5 at the surface of the skin to 7.4 in deeper areas of the HF. The pH‐nanosensor shows no toxicity potentials.
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Dextran Nanoparticles Cross‐Linked in Aqueous and Aqueous/Alcoholic Media
Authors: Iakobson Olga D. , Dobrodumov Anatoly V. , Saprykina Natalia N. , Shevchenko Natalia N. 
Published: April 2017

The attractiveness of the dextran nanoparticle application in medicine and pharmacology results from biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity of the polymer. However, it still remains a challenge to prepare such nanoparticles in an aqueous medium due to dextran hydrophilicity. Here, the technique of dextran nanoparticle synthesis with the average diameter of 140–450 nm in aqueous and aqueous/ethanolic media is described. The chemical structure of cross‐linker used for the dextran nanoparticle stabilization is demonstrated to influence the dextran nanoparticle diameter, size distribution, and ζ‐potential. As shown the regulation of the nanoparticle diameter and ζ‐potential is possible through the surfactants and/or dextran nonsolvent (ethanol) addition into the reaction medium. Due to the additional steric stabilization, the dextran nanoparticles of minimum diameter are formed in the presence of ionic surfactants in the aqueous/ethanolic medium. The nanoparticle shape and diameter are analyzed by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy; the composition is investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
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Degeneration of rapid eye movement sleep circuitry underlies rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Authors: McKenna Dillon , Peever John 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTDuring healthy rapid eye movement sleep, skeletal muscles are actively forced into a state of motor paralysis. However, in rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder—a relatively common neurological disorder—this natural process is lost. A lack of motor paralysis (atonia) in rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder allows individuals to actively move, which at times can be excessive and violent. At first glance this may sound harmless, but it is not because rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients frequently injure themselves or the person they sleep with. It is hypothesized that the degeneration or dysfunction of the brain stem circuits that control rapid eye movement sleep paralysis is an underlying cause of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. The link between brain stem degeneration and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder stems from the fact that rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder precedes, in the majority (∼80%) of cases, the development of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy, which are known to initially cause degeneration in the caudal brain stem structures where rapid eye movement sleep circuits are located. Furthermore, basic science and clinical evidence demonstrate that lesions within the rapid eye movement sleep circuits can induce rapid eye movement sleep‐specific motor deficits that are virtually identical to those observed in rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. This review examines the evidence that rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is caused by synucleinopathic neurodegeneration of the core brain stem circuits that control healthy rapid eye movement sleep and concludes that rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is not a separate clinical entity from synucleinopathies but, rather, it is the earliest symptom of these disorders. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Hostile takeover: how tumours hijack pre‐existing vascular environments to thrive
Authors: Winkler Frank 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAn increasing body of evidence suggests that solid tumours do not require the generation of new blood vessels, i.e. angiogenesis, to successfully grow, and to colonize normal tissue. Instead, many tumour cells make the best use of what they find: pre‐existing blood vessels of the host. In these cases, the host vasculature is incorporated by the growing tumour, resulting in a new organ consisting of malignant and non‐malignant cell types. In consequence, pre‐existing vessels are exploited by the tumour for optimal access to oxygen and nutrients. In this perspective article, the argument is made that tumour cells might gain even more: that is, access to the very special microenvironment of the perivascular niche. Here, specific cues for invasion, metastasis, survival, stem‐like features, dormancy and, potentially, also immune escape exist – for non‐malignant and malignant cells alike. The consequence of the hijacking of normal blood vessels and their perivascular niches by tumours is that antiangiogenic agents have little chance to work, and that tumour cells are better protected from the adverse effects of cytotoxic and targeted therapies. Thus, disturbing vascular hijacking could make tumours less resistant to established therapies. Concepts of how to do this are just starting to be explored. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation of alkyl halides at the Cu0 surface in SARA ATRP: An assessment of reaction order and surface mechanisms
Authors: Augustine Kyle F. , Ribelli Thomas G. , Fantin Marco , Krys Pawel , Cong Yidan , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTThe external order in reagents for the activation of alkyl halides by Cu0 was investigated in supplemental activator and reducing agents (SARA) ATRP. Using methyl 2‐bromopropionate (MBrP) or ethyl α‐bromophenylacetate (EBPA) and tris(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me6TREN) in DMSO and MeCN, it was determined that the rate of activation scaled with (S/V)0.9 in both solvents. For MBrP, the rate was first order with respect to [MBrP]0 until a saturation in the rate was observed around 33 and 110 mM in DMSO and MeCN, respectively. For EBPA, the reaction was also first order until a maximum rate was observed at 33 mM in DMSO, whereas an inverse order was observed for concentrations above 66 mM in MeCN. At saturated concentrations of MBrP, it was found that the rate increased linearly with respect to [Me6TREN]0 for all systems but became asymptotic with a maximum rate of 2 × 10−6 and 4 × 10−5 M s−1 in DMSO and MeCN, respectively. Model polymerizations in the absence of ligand showed slow reaction rates, indicating the necessity for ligand. The results allow more accurate modeling and understanding of SARA ATRP under a large range of initiator concentrations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3048–3057
Grafting polymerization of single‐handed helical poly(phenyl isocyanide)s on graphene oxide and their application in enantioselective separation
Authors: Xiao Yi , Wang Hui‐Qing , Zhang Hao , Jiang Zhi‐Qiang , Wang Ya‐Qi , Li Hai , Yin Jun , Zhu Yuan‐Yuan , Wu Zong‐Quan 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTWe herein report a “grafting from” strategy to immobilize optically active helical poly(phenyl isocyanide)s onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. After covalently bounding alkyne‐Pd(II) initiator onto GO nanosheets, the designed GO/polymer composites P1@GO and P1‐b‐P2@GO featuring single‐handed helical poly(phenyl isocyanide)s growing from GO nanosheets were prepared by sequential addition of the chiral and achiral isocyanide monomers. Post‐synthetic hydrolysis rendered P1‐b‐P3@GO to improve the hydrophilicity. The successful covalent bonding of poly(phenyl isocyanide)s chains onto GO nanosheets was certified by several cross evidences including scan emission microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Circular dichroism spectra proved that the chiral information was introduced through the grafted single‐handed helical polymer chains successfully. In addition, the resulting GO/polymer composites were explored as a chiral additive to induce enantioselective crystallization of racemic organic molecules. Preferential formation of rod‐like L‐alanine crystals was induced by composites bearing right‐handed helical poly(phenyl isocyanide)s. The enantiomeric excess value of the induced crystals reached 76%, displaying the potential in future applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2092–2103
Effect of chain structure on the glass transition temperature and viscoelastic property of cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene via molecular simulation
Authors: Gao Yangyang , Wu Youping , Liu Jun , Zhang Liqun 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTIn this work, by adopting the united atom model of cis‐1,4‐poly(butadiene) (PB), we systemically investigate the effect of the chain structure on the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the viscoelastic property of PB system. First, we analyze the atom translational mobility, bond reorientation dynamics, torsional dynamics, conformational transition rate, and dynamic heterogeneity of the PB chains with different chain structures in detail by determining the corresponding Tg. In addition, our results clearly indicate that with the decrease of the amount of the free end atoms of PB via the end‐linking method, the mobility of the PB chains quickly decreases. As a result, the Tg of the PB chains gradually increases. Depending on the chain structure and the calculation method, the Tg of the PB chains varies from 154 to 240 K. In addition, the temperature dependence of the dynamic properties has different Arrhenius behaviors above and below Tg. The calculated activation energy varies from 7.37 to 16.37 KJ/mol for different chain structures above Tg, which can be compared with those for other polymers. In addition, through the end‐linking approach the strong interaction between the PB chains improves the storage modulus G′ and the loss modulus
. Meanwhile, the immobility of the free end atoms effectively reduces the friction loss of the chains under the shear field, which is reflected by the low loss factor
. In summary, this work can further help to understand the effect of the chain structure on the dynamic properties of the PB chains. Meanwhile, it provides an effective approach to reduce the energy loss during the dynamic periodic deformation, which can cut the fuel consumption via the end‐linking method. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1005–1016
Enhancement of Aluminum Reactivity to Achieve High Burn Rate for an End Burning Rocket Motor
Authors: Marothiya Gaurav , Ramakrishna P. A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAluminum is used in solid propellants to increase the specific impulse (Isp). It is desirable to have high propellant loading in any stage as it reduces the structural coefficient and an end burning grain is known to be the one with the highest propellant loading. As aluminum combustion is a slow process, the time available for aluminum combustion in an end burning configuration will be very small at the start of the combustion process. This demands an increase in the reactivity of the aluminum. This study is built on the fact that mechanical activation of aluminum powder with PTFE (poly‐tetra‐flouro‐ethylene) enhances the reactivity of aluminum powder. This study also deals with the use of this activated aluminum powder in conjunction with various other methods to enhance the burn rates of the solid propellant. The temperature sensitivity was also measured. Based on these results, new designs with end burning grains for the third stage of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and for the second and third stage of Pegasus launch vehicle have been proposed to increase the payload capacity. With this new design, it is seen that the payload can be increased by 12.7 % and 17.6 % for PSLV and Pegasus, respectively. The novelty of this design is that with no changes to any other hardware of the above two systems the increase in payload can be achieved.
Effect of Natural β‐Glucosidase Inhibitors in Reducing Toxicity of Amygdalin in Persicae Semen
Authors: Liu Chao , Li Xia , Yang Honggai , Mao Xinhui , Wang Juan , Gao Wenyuan 
Published: April 2017

Amygdalin can be decomposed into hydrocyanic acid, which is the primary source of Persicae Semen toxicity, by gut flora. Here, the inhibitory activity of β‐glucosidase for test herb extracts was first determined and compared. In turn, optimization of the ratio of substrate and inhibitor in vitro and LD50 values of extracts, serum and liver contents of amygdalin in vivo was measured. Lycii Cortex was found to be the best inhibitory activity for β‐glucosidase. The ratio of amygdalin‐to‐Lycii Cortex extract of 7.19:8.18 (mmol L−1/mg mL−1) can be relatively suitable for inhibiting β‐glucosidase activity in test in vitro reaction system. After mixed with Lycii Cortex extract, the toxicity of Persicae Semen ethanol extract in mice is significantly reduced and more amygdalin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The study provides useful information for reducing toxicity of Persicae Semen and suggests how to better use these natural β‐glucosidase inhibitors in the utilization of glycosides and aglycones. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Birthweights and Down syndrome in neonates that were delivered after frozen‐thawed embryo transfer: The 2007‐2012 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology National Registry data in Japan
Authors: Yamatoya Kenji , Saito Kazuki , Saito Takakazu , Kang Woojin , Nakamura Akihiro , Miyado Mami , Kawano Natsuko , Miyamoto Yoshitaka , Umezawa Akihiro , Miyado Kenji , Saito Hidekazu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimTo evaluate the use of frozen embryos on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART), a retrospective study of the Japanese Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry data during the years 2007‐2012 was conducted.MethodsA total of 124 946 singleton neonates who reached term gestation following ART from 2007‐2012, with 80 660 achieved through frozen‐thawed embryo transfer (ET) and 44 286 being achieved through fresh ET, were analyzed for their birthweights and chromosomal abnormalities.ResultsThe birthweight of the neonates from the frozen‐thawed ETs was significantly higher than that of those from the fresh ETs throughout all the study years. The frequency of Down syndrome was 0.17% for the fresh ETs and 0.13% for the frozen‐thawed ETs in the period 2007‐2012. This study showed that frozen‐thawed ETs result in a constant increase of the average birthweight between 37 and 41 weeks gestational age and lower frequencies of Down syndrome.ConclusionFrozen‐thawed ETs were comparable to the fresh ET method, with the exceptions of higher birthweights and a lower frequency of Down syndrome in the neonates that were born from frozen‐thawed ET. The increase in birthweights was not proportional to the gestational ages. This cannot be explained with any well‐known mechanism. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities needs detailed data for analysis.
Trust and Perceptions of Physicians’ Nonverbal Behavior Among Women with Immigrant Backgrounds
Authors: Hillen Marij A. , de Haes Hanneke C. J. M. , Verdam Mathilde G. E. , Smets Ellen M. A. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Previous findings suggest immigrant patients have lower trust in their physicians, and perceive nonverbal communication differently compared to non-immigrant patients. We tested discrepancies in trust and the impact of non-verbal behavior between immigrants and non-immigrants in The Netherlands. Nonverbal communication of an oncologist was systematically varied in an experimental video vignettes design. Breast cancer patients (n = 34) and healthy women (n = 34) viewed one of eight video versions and evaluated trust and perceived friendliness of the oncologist. In a matched control design, women with immigrant and non-immigrant backgrounds were paired. Immigrant women reported stronger trust. Nonverbal communication by the oncologist did not influence trust differently for immigrants compared to for non-immigrants. However, smiling strongly enhanced perceived friendliness for non-immigrants, but not for immigrants. Immigrant patients’ strong trust levels may be formed a priori, instead of based on physicians’ communication. Physicians may need to make extra efforts to optimize their communication.
Searching for a listed infrastructure asset class using mean–variance spanning
Authors: Blanc-Brude Frédéric , Whittaker Timothy , Wilde Simon 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This study examines the portfolio-diversification benefits of listed infrastructure stocks. We employ three different definitions of listed infrastructure and tests of mean–variance spanning. The evidence shows that viewing infrastructure as an asset class is misguided. We employ different schemes of infrastructure asset selection (both traditional asset classes and factor exposures) and discover that they do not provide portfolio-diversification benefits to existing asset allocation choices. We also find that defining and selecting infrastructure investments by business model as opposed to industrial sectors can reveal a very different investment profile, albeit one that improves the mean–variance efficient frontier since the global financial crisis. This study provides new insights into defining and benchmarking infrastructure equity investments in general, as well as into the extent to which public markets can be used to proxy the risk-adjusted performance of privately held infrastructure investments.
Breast cancer and Flammer syndrome: any symptoms in common for prediction, prevention and personalised medical approach?
Authors: Zubor Pavol , Gondova Alexandra , Polivka Jiri , Kasajova Petra , Konieczka Katarzyna , Danko Jan , Golubnitschaja Olga 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
An epidemic scale of the breast cancer (BC) prevalence is actually recognised as the reality of the early twenty-first century. Particularly alarming is that the sporadic BC (about 90% of all patients) creates currently unpredictable subpopulations in terms of disease predisposition, development and progression. Despite broad discussions run since years in BC area, no any plausible approach has been suggested so far to get the overall situation better controlled in the populations. Here, we present highly innovative concepts considering investigation of specific syndromes and symptoms underestimated till now in relationship with BC predisposition and development. Consequently, the purpose of our pilot project was to evaluate the prevalence of Flammer Syndrome (FS) in BC patient cohort. The results achieved here support the main hypothesis of the project clearly demonstrating the tendency of BC patients to the increased prevalence of FS symptoms compared to the disease-free individuals. Our study strongly indicates the relevance of FS symptoms for BC pathology such as feeling inadequately cold, deficient thermoregulation, altered sensitivity to different stimuli, potential dehydration, altered sleep patterns, tendency towards headache, migraine attacks and dizziness. Moreover, the symptoms’ appearance is specifically linked to the individual BC subtypes. Potential mechanisms interconnecting FS with BC pathology are discussed.