bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Charge‐assisted ultrafiltration membranes for monovalent ions separation in electrodialysis
Authors: Li Jian , Zhu Junyong , Wang Jing , Yuan Shushan , Lin Jiuyang , Shen Jiangnan , Van der Bruggen Bart 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTSelectivity for monovalent ions is a very important feature of ion exchange membranes in view of a further expansion of the scope of electrodialysis (ED). An efficient one‐step chemical process to graft a thin polyaniline (PANI) layer on the surface and pores of an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane is reported. The existence of a PANI layer on such modified UF membrane was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. These membranes were extensively characterized by studying their properties such as water uptake, ion‐exchange capacity, contact angle, and performance in diffusion dialysis. ED experiments were conducted by comparing desalting of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride solutions. During the desalting procedure, the driving force has two contributions, the electrical field and the salinity‐gradient. Initially, transport of ions by the electrical field is dominant, while at the end of the experiment, diffusion dialysis by the salinity gradient plays a larger role in ion transport. The presence of PANI can hinder Mg2+ transport from the concentrate to the diluate compartment because of the electrostatic effect, while there is no obvious effect on Na+ ions. The ability of such a surface modification layer to improve the membrane selectivity for Na+/Mg2+ was confirmed by means of ED in a mixed solution. The flux of Na+ was slightly increased to 13.21 × 10−8 mol/L/min while the flux of Mg2+ was reduced to 3.32 × 10−8 mol/L/min, so that the permselectivity is almost doubled. The protonation reaction of the PANI layer creates positive charges, thus leading to an electrical repulsion barrier, which may reduce the penetration of divalent cations with respect to monovalent ions. Polyacrylonitrile‐based UF membranes with different molecular cutoff was used to determine the influence of the permselectivity. Results showed that the membrane permselectivity of smaller molecular cutoff UF membranes is higher. It can be concluded that this method is suitable for preparing membranes based on UF membranes for efficient separation of monovalent ions by electro‐driven separation techniques. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45692.
Improved dispersion of carbon nanotubes in poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites by hybrids with core–shell structure
Authors: Fan Benhui , Lu Xiaoxin , Dang Zhimin , Deng Yuan , Zhou Xiying , He Delong , Bai Jinbo 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTCore–shell structure hybrids of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/BaTiO3 (H‐CNT‐BT) and commercial multi‐wall CNTs are respectively incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) for preparing the composites near the percolation thresholds. A comprehensive investigation for CNT's dispersion and composite's conductivity is conducted between H‐CNT‐BT/PVDF and CNT/PVDF at different depths vertical to the injection's direction. Gradual increases of the conductivity in two composites are observed from the out‐layer to the core part which infers an inhomogeneous CNT's dispersion in the interior of composites due to their migration under flow during the injection. However, the use of H‐CNT‐BT fillers with core–shell structure enables to reduce this inhomogeneous dispersion in the composite. Furthermore, the conductive network of CNTs in H‐CNT‐BT/PVDF is less sensitive to the thermal treatment than the one in CNT/PVDF composite, which infers the core–shell structure of hybrids can ameliorate the sensitivity of the conductive network. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45693.
Forgotten fishes: What is the future for small threatened freshwater fish? Population risk assessment for southern pygmy perch, Nannoperca australis
Authors: Todd Charles R. , Koehn John D. , Pearce Luke , Dodd Lauren , Humphries Paul , Morrongiello John R. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Fish species that have no commercial or recreational value are often overlooked in conservation management, despite serious threats to their long‐term future. This can be termed the ‘small threatened freshwater fishes’ paradigm.
Population viability analysis (PVA) is a useful technique to assess threatened species and conservation management options. While the development and use of population models and population viability analysis is common in conservation, and often used for larger fishes, this has not been so for small threatened freshwater species.
This study uses the PVA process to develop a stochastic population model for Nannoperca australis (southern pygmy perch) in temperate south‐eastern Australia.
The model was most sensitive to early life‐history survival rates, for which there were no estimates from field data, compared with other model uncertainty. This study also found that the oldest age class had the highest reproductive value, providing unique support to the value of big, old, fat and fecund fish (BOFFFs) in sustaining natural populations.
Modelling indicated that a population in stable habitat supporting about 2000 female adults would likely to be viable, able to withstand some disturbance and possibly be used as a source population for reintroductions. In reality, however, there are few populations in the wild of sufficient size to withstand such take for translocations and hence the production of fish through hatchery means may be required.
This type of approach should prove useful for the conservation management of many similar species globally.
Altered attentional processing in male and female rats in a prenatal valproic acid exposure model of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Anshu Kumari , Nair Ajay Kumar , Kumaresan U.D. , Kutty Bindu M. , Srinath Shoba , Laxmi T. Rao 
Published: August 2017

Attention is foundational to efficient perception and optimal goal driven behavior. Intact attentional processing is crucial for the development of social and communication skills. Deficits in attention are therefore likely contributors to the core pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Clinical evidence in ASD is suggestive of impairments in attention and its control, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We examined sustained, spatially divided attention in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD using the 5‐choice serial reaction time task (5‐CSRTT). As compared to controls, male and female VPA rats had progressively lower accuracy and higher omissions with increasing attentional demands during 5‐CSRTT training, and showed further performance decrements when subjected to parametric task manipulations. It is noteworthy that although VPA exposure induced attentional deficits in both sexes, there were task parameter specific sex differences. Importantly, we did not find evidence of impulsivity or motivational deficits in VPA rats but we did find reduced social preference, as well as sensorimotor deficits that suggest pre‐attentional information processing impairments. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining attentional functions in a VPA model. Our work underscores the need for studying both sexes in ASD animal models and validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for mechanistic understanding of aberrant attentional functions and for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1929–1944. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryWe studied rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), an established rodent model of autism. Both male and female VPA rats had a range of attentional impairments with sex‐specific characteristics. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. Our work validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets for improving attentional performance.
Characterization of early communicative behavior in mouse models of neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Maloney Susan E. , Chandler Krystal C. , Anastasaki Corina , Rieger Michael A. , Gutmann David H. , Dougherty Joseph D. 
Published: August 2017

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a monogenic neurodevelopmental disease caused by germline loss‐of‐function mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Cognitive impairments are observed in approximately 80% of children with this disease, with 45–60% exhibiting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology. In light of the high comorbidity rate between ASD and NF1, we assessed early communicative behavior by maternal‐separation induced pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) and developmental milestones in two distinct Nf1 genetically engineered models, one modeling clinical germline heterozygous loss of Nf1 function (Nf1+/– mice), and a second with somatic biallelic Nf1 inactivation in neuroglial progenitor cells (Nf1GFAPCKO mice). We observed altered USV production in both models: Nf1+/– mice exhibited both increased USVs across development and alterations in aspects of pitch, while Nf1GFAPCKO mice demonstrated a decrease in USVs. Developmental milestones, such as weight, pinnae detachment, and eye opening, were not disrupted in either model, indicating the USV deficits were not due to gross developmental delay, and likely reflected more specific alterations in USV circuitry. In this respect, increased whole‐brain serotonin was observed in Nf1+/– mice, but whole‐brain levels of dopamine and its metabolites were unchanged at the age of peak USV disruption, and USV alterations did not correlate with overall level of neurofibromin loss. The early communicative phenotypes reported herein should motivate further studies into the risks mediated by haploinsufficiency and biallelic deletion of Nf1 across a full battery of ASD‐relevant behavioral phenotypes, and a targeted analysis of underlying circuitry disruptions. Autism Res 2018, 11: 44–58. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurogenetic disorder caused by mutation of the NF1 gene, in which 80% of affected children exhibit cognitive and behavioral issues. Based on emerging evidence that NF1 may be an autism predisposition gene, we examined autism spectrum disorder (ASD)‐relevant early communicative behavior in Nf1 mouse models and observed alterations in both models. The changes in early communicative behavior in Nf1 mutant mice should motivate further studies into the causative factors and potential treatments for ASD arising in the context of NF1.
A dynamic metabolic flux analysis of ABE (acetone‐butanol‐ethanol) fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824, with riboflavin as a by‐product
Authors: Zhao Xinhe , Kasbi Mayssa , Chen Jingkui , Peres Sabine , Jolicoeur Mario 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe present study reveals that supplementing sodium acetate (NaAc) strongly stimulates riboflavin production in acetone‐butanol‐ethanol (ABE) fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 with xylose as carbon source. Riboflavin production increased from undetectable concentrations to ∼0.2 g L−1 (0.53 mM) when supplementing 60 mM NaAc. Of interest, solvents production and biomass yield were also promoted with fivefold acetone, 2.6‐fold butanol, and 2.4‐fold biomass adding NaAc. A kinetic metabolic model, developed to simulate ABE biosystem, with riboflavin production, revealed from a dynamic metabolic flux analysis (dMFA) simultaneous increase of riboflavin (ribA) and GTP (precursor of riboflavin) (PurM) synthesis flux rates under NaAc supplementation. The model includes 23 fluxes, 24 metabolites, and 72 kinetic parameters. It also suggested that NaAc condition has first stimulated the accumulation of intracellular metabolite intermediates during the acidogenic phase, which have then fed the solventogenic phase leading to increased ABE production. In addition, NaAc resulted in higher intracellular levels of NADH during the whole culture. Moreover, lower GTP‐to‐adenosine phosphates (ATP, ADP, AMP) ratio under NaAc supplemented condition suggests that GTP may have a minor role in the cell energetic metabolism compared to its contribution to riboflavin synthesis.
Biosimilars: Key regulatory considerations and similarity assessment tools
Authors: Kirchhoff Carol F. , Wang Xiao‐Zhuo Michelle , Conlon Hugh D. , Anderson Scott , Ryan Anne M. , Bose Arindam 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA biosimilar drug is defined in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance document as a biopharmaceutical that is highly similar to an already licensed biologic product (referred to as the reference product) notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components and for which there are no clinically meaningful differences in purity, potency, and safety between the two products. The development of biosimilars is a challenging, multistep process. Typically, the assessment of similarity involves comprehensive structural and functional characterization throughout the development of the biosimilar in an iterative manner and, if required by the local regulatory authority, an in vivo nonclinical evaluation, all conducted with direct comparison to the reference product. In addition, comparative clinical pharmacology studies are conducted with the reference product. The approval of biosimilars is highly regulated although varied across the globe in terms of nomenclature and the precise criteria for demonstrating similarity. Despite varied regulatory requirements, differences between the proposed biosimilar and the reference product must be supported by strong scientific evidence that these differences are not clinically meaningful. This review discusses the challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies in the development of biosimilars.
Browning in apples: Exploring the biochemical basis of an easily‐observable phenotype
Authors: Deutch Charles E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMany fruits and vegetables undergo browning when they are cut and the tissue is exposed to the air. This is due to the activity of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1) with endogenous substrates. In this laboratory experiment, students prepare slices of different varieties of apples and assess the rate of browning. They make a simple extract of the apple tissue and measure the activity of PPO using 3,4‐dihydroxy‐l‐phenylalanine (l‐DOPA) as substrate. They determine the protein concentration of the extract with the Bradford Coomassie Blue reagent and calculate the specific activity of PPO. Finally, the students measure the total concentration of the potential substrates for PPO with the Folin–Ciocalteau phenol reagent using a gallic acid standard curve. By comparing the tendency of the apples to turn brown, the specific activity of PPO, and the concentration of potential substrates, they can assess the biochemical basis of the browning phenotype. This experiment can be done as a series of weekly laboratory exercises, as an intensive 1‐week laboratory project, or as the basis of an extended student research investigation. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(1):76–82, 2018.
Simultaneous determination of baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin, scutellarin, berberine, coptisine, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Re of Banxia xiexin decoction in rat plasma by LC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhang Yifan , Xiao Juan , Xu Ranchi , Wang Qiangli , Wang Xinhong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA rapid and high‐sensitivity liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of nine active constituents (baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin, scutellarin, berberine, coptisine, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Re) in rat plasma after oral administration of Banxia xiexin decoction (BXD). Biological samples were processed wtih acetone–ethyl acetate (4:1, v/v). The mobile phase consisted of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive ion and negative ESI in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curves for all analytes had good linearity (r > 0.9933). The mean recovery of all the nine active ingredients was >75.2%, and the intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were within 12.0%; the accuracy was between 87.4 and 110.4%. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after administration of BXD. The results of the pharmacokinetic study might be helpful for BXD reasonable clinical application and further studies on mechanism.
A Comprehensive Study of the Interaction between Peptidoglycan Fragments and the Extracellular Domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ser/Thr Kinase PknB
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Marchetti Roberta , Prisic Sladjana , Ishii Kentaro , Arai Yohei , Ohta Ippei , Inuki Shinsuke , Uchiyama Susumu , Silipo Alba , Molinaro Antonio , Husson Robert N. , Fukase Koichi , Fujimoto Yukari 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ser/Thr kinase PknB is implicated in the regulation of bacterial cell growth and cell division. The intracellular kinase function of PknB is thought to be triggered by peptidoglycan (PGN) fragments that are recognized by the extracytoplasmic domain of PknB. The PGN in the cell wall of M. tuberculosis has several unusual modifications, including the presence of N‐glycolyl groups (in addition to N‐acetyl groups) in the muramic acid residues and amidation of d‐Glu in the peptide chains. Using synthetic PGN fragments incorporating these diverse PGN structures, we analyzed their binding characters through biolayer interferometry (BLI), NMR spectroscopy, and native mass spectrometry (nMS) techniques. The results of BLI showed that muropeptides containing 1,6‐anhydro‐MurNAc and longer glycan chains exhibited higher binding potency and that the fourth amino acid of the peptide stem, d‐Ala, was crucial for protein recognition. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy indicated the major involvement of the stem peptide region in the PASTA‐PGN fragment binding. nMS suggested that the binding stoichiometry was 1:1. The data provide the first molecular basis for the specific interaction of PGN with PknB and firmly establish PGNs as the effective ligands of PknB.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes rat airway muscle cell proliferation and migration mediated by ERK1/2 and FAK signaling
Authors: Lan Haibing , Wang Nan , Chen Yu , Wang Xiaojing , Gong Yuanqi , Qi Xiefei , Luo Yaling , Yao Fang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMacrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory mediator that contributes to asthmatic airway remodeling; however, little is known regarding the effects of MIF on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). In the present study, we found that an enhanced expression of MIF promoted ASMC proliferation, increased the population of cells in the S/G2 phase, downregulated P21 expression, and upregulated cyclin D1, cyclin D3, and Cdk6 expression. In addition, the apoptosis of ASMCs was significantly decreased in response to MIF overexpression, compared with the negative control. Moreover, MIF facilitated the migration of ASMCs by upregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2. Finally, we showed that MIF increased the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which are associated with proliferation and migration. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that MIF overexpression promotes the proliferation and migration of ASMCs by upregulating the activity of the ERK1/2 and FAK signaling pathways in these cells, further indicating that inhibition of MIF may prove to be an effective strategy for treating asthma patients with airway remodeling.
Phosphate Functionalization of CeO2–ZrO2 Solid Solutions for the Catalytic Formation of Dimethyl Carbonate from Methanol and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Prymak Iuliia , Prymak Oleg , Wang Junhui , Kalevaru Venkata Narayana , Martin Andreas , Bentrup Ursula , Wohlrab Sebastian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPhosphate surface groups on CeO2–ZrO2 solid solutions were generated by treating Ce–Zr–hydroxide precursors with phosphoric acid. In the catalytic formation of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO2, the performance of the P‐modified samples was markedly affected relative to that of the unmodified ones: Phosphate treatment caused remarkable changes in the phase composition, acid–base properties, and the ability to form monodentate methoxy intermediates. The DMC yield (1.6 %) was successfully improved from 0.24 to 1.6 % by phosphate modification of CeO2–ZrO2 (Ce/Zr=4.7, P/Zr=0.13) and by performing the reaction at 170 °C and 6.5 MPa for 1 h.
Chemometrics optimization for simultaneous adsorptive removal of ternary mixture of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) by Fraxinus tree leaves
Authors: Zolgharnein Javad , Shahmoradi Ali , Bagtash Maryam , Frahani Saeideh Dermanaki , Zolgharnein Peyman 
Published: August 2017

Fraxinus tree leaves were successfully used to remove ternary mixture of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) from an aqueous solution in a batch system. The simplex‐centroid mixture design was used for optimization of the biosorption process. The effective factors on biosorption process, such as pH, s (amount of biosorbent), and Ci initial concentrations of metal ions, were considered via a crossed mixture–process design. Optimal conditions were found to be as follows: pH = 5, s (sorbent mass) = 0.05 g, CCu (initial Cu(II) concentration) = 100.0 mg/L, CCd (Initial Cd(II) concentration) = 129.1 mg/L, and CPb (Initial Pb(II) concentration) = 70.9 mg/L. The results clearly show competitive effects between mixture ingredients in favor of Pb(II), and also an interaction between process and mixture variables was observed. It was found that, with increasing Pb(II) contribution, the removal efficiency increases to its highest value. The pH has a positive effect and sorbent mass a negative effect on the response. To characterize the biosorption, Fourier transform infrared analysis was performed and, according to the results, the main functional groups of sorbent were involved in the biosorption process.
Coordinatively Labile 18‐Electron Arene Ruthenium Iminophosphonamide Complexes
Authors: Sinopalnikova Iana S. , Peganova Tat'yana A. , Novikov Valentin V. , Fedyanin Ivan V. , Filippov Oleg A. , Belkova Natalia V. , Shubina Elena S. , Poli Rinaldo , Kalsin Alexander M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe thermodynamics of chloride dissociation from the 18e arene ruthenium iminophosphonamides [(η6‐arene)RuCl{(R′N)2PR2}] (1 a–d) [previously known with arene=C6Me6, R=Ph, R′=p‐Tol (a); R=Et, R′=p‐Tol (b); R=Ph, R′=Me (c); and new with arene=p‐cymene, R=Ph, R′=p‐Tol (d)] was assessed in both polar and apolar solvents by variable‐temperature UV/Vis, NMR, and 2D EXSY 1H NMR methods, which highlighted the influence of the NPN ligand on the equilibrium parameters. The dissociation enthalpy ΔHd decreases with increasing electron‐donating ability of the N‐ and P‐substituents (1 a, 1 d>1 b>1 c) and solvent polarity, and this results in exothermic spontaneous dissociation of 1 c in polar solvents. The coordination of neutral ligands (MeCN, pyridine, CO) to the corresponding 16e complexes [(η6‐arene)Ru{(R′N)2PR2}]+PF6− (2 a–d) is reversible; the stability of the 2⋅L adducts depends on the π‐accepting ability of L. Carbonylation of 2 a and 2 d resulted in rare examples of cationic arene ruthenium carbonyl complexes (3 a, 3 d), while the monocarbonyl adduct derived from 2 c reacts further with a second equivalent of CO with conversion to carbonyl‐carbamoyl complex 3 c, in which one CO molecule is inserted into the Ru−N bond. The new complexes 1 d, 2 d, 3 a, 3 c, and 3 d were isolated and structurally characterized.