bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contribution of anthocyanin‐rich foods in obesity control through gut microbiota interactions
Authors: Jamar Giovana , Estadella Débora , Pisani Luciana Pellegrini 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObesity is characterized by low‐grade inflammation and a number of metabolic disorders. Distal gut microbes' content (microbiota) is not yet fully understood but evidence shows that it is influenced by internal and external factors that modulate its composition and function. The evidence that gut microbiota composition can differ between healthy and obese individuals, as well as for those who maintain specific dietary habits, has led to the study of this environmental factor as a key link between the pathophysiology of obesity and gut microbiota. Data obtained about the role of anthocyanins (ACNs) in microbiota may lead to different strategies to manipulate bacterial populations and promote health. Anthocyanins have been identified as modulators of gut microbiota that contribute to obesity control and these bioactive compounds should be considered to have a prebiotic action. This review addresses the relevance of knowledge about the influence of anthocyanins‐rich food consumption on microbiota, and their health‐promoting potential in the pathophysiology of obesity. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(4):507–516, 2017
Development and validation of an LC‐ESI‐MS/MS approach to determine a highly hydrophobic drug, norcantharidin palmitate, and apply to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Tao Xiaoguang , Zheng Qi , Xu Hang , Zhang Yu , Lei Tian , Yin Tian , He Haibing , Tang Xing 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn order to investigate the pharmacokinetics of norcantharidin palmitate (NCTD‐PAL) in rats, we developed and validated an LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method. The NCTD‐PAL and internal standard (triamcinoloneacetonide palmitate, TAP) were separated on a Phenomenex Kinetex®XB C18 column, and the mobile phase was composed of tetrahydrofuran (THF)–acetonitrile (20/80, v/v) and an aqueous phase containing 0.2% ammonium hydroxide at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The ESI interface operated in positive mode was used to acquire the mass spectrometric data, and the transition ions were m/z 635.50 → 168.95 and 673.65 → 397.13 for NCTD‐PAL and IS, respectively. The method had a linear range of 10–2000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of >0.99. The accuracy (RE, %) was within ±10.1%, and the intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD, %) were 10.9 and 13.8%, respectively. The extraction recovery of NCTD‐PAL at different concentrations ranged from 89.3 to 102.0%. The validated approach was efficaciously applied to a pharmacokinetic study of NCTD‐PAL in rats via intravenous injection. Based on these results obtained, this method is practical and suitable for a wide range of applications.
The assessment of laboratory parameters in children with fever and febrile seizures
Authors: Gontko – Romanowska Krystyna , Żaba Zbigniew , Panieński Paweł , Steinborn Barbara , Szemień Michał , Łukasik – Głębocka Magdalena , Ratajczak Krystian , Górny Jacek 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the research paper was to assess selected laboratory results in children with fever without seizures and febrile seizure.Materials and MethodsThe paper presents an analysis of a group of 306 children aged 6 months – 5 years who were admitted with diagnosed fever without seizures and febrile seizures in Specialized Health Care Centre for Mother and Child in Poznan between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2009. Out of the diagnostics procedures performed in children the following ones were taken into consideration: BCC and CRP.ResultsOf the analyzed group of 306 children, 59.48% were boys and 40.52% were girls. In the studied group 61.93% were boys and control group 56.15% were boys. Mean age of admitted children was 22 months. In the study group mean body temperature was 39.0°C and in the control group 38.6°C. A statistically significant difference was found between body temperature of study and control group (p = .005). The mean C‐reactive protein level in the study group was 15.73 mg/L and in the control group 58.20 mg/L. There was a statistically significant difference (p < .001). There was a statistically significant difference between the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils (p < .001). There was also a statistically significant difference between the number of hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets.ConclusionsThe study showed that children with FS, had statistically significant higher neutrophils level compared to those with fever without seizures. The number of lymphocytes was lower in children with FS than in children with fever without seizures.
Virtual world, defined from a technological perspective and applied to video games, mixed reality, and the Metaverse
Authors: Nevelsteen Kim J. L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThere is no generally accepted definition for a virtual world, with many complimentary terms and acronyms having emerged implying a virtual world. Advances in networking techniques such as host migration of instances, mobile ad hoc networking, and distributed computing, bring in to question whether architectures can actually support a virtual world. Without a concrete definition, controversy ensues and it is problematic to design an architecture for a virtual world. Several researchers provided a definition but aspects of each definition are still problematic and simply can not be applied to contemporary technologies. The approach of this article is to sample technologies using grounded theory and to obtain a definition for a “virtual world” that is directly applicable to technology. The obtained definition is compared with related work and used to classify advanced technologies such as a pseudo‐persistent video game, a MANet, virtual and mixed reality, and the Metaverse. The results of this article include a break down of which properties set apart the various technologies; a definition that is validated by comparing it with other definitions; an ontology showing the relation of the different complimentary terms and acronyms; and the usage of pseudo‐persistence to categories those technologies, which only mimic persistence.
Aggregate Formation of Oligonucleotides that Assist Molecular Imaging for Tracking of the Oxygen Status in Tumor Tissue
Authors: Yoshihara Kazuki , Takagi Kohei , Son Aoi , Kurihara Ryohsuke , Tanabe Kazuhito 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe use of DNA aggregates could be a promising strategy for the molecular imaging of biological functions. Herein, phosphorescent oligodeoxynucleotides were designed with the aim of visualizing oxygen fluctuation in tumor cells. DNA–ruthenium conjugates (DRCs) that consisted of oligodeoxynucleotides, a phosphorescent ruthenium complex, a pyrene unit for high oxygen responsiveness, and a nitroimidazole unit as a tumor‐targeting unit were prepared. In general, oligonucleotides have low cell permeability because of their own negative charges; however, the DRC formed aggregates in aqueous solution due to the hydrophobic pyrene and nitroimidazole groups, and smoothly penetrated the cellular membrane to accumulate in tumor cells in a hypoxia‐selective manner. The oxygen‐dependent phosphorescence of DRC in cells was also observed. In vivo experiments revealed that aggregates of DRC accumulated in hypoxic tumor tissue that was transplanted into the left leg of mice, and showed that oxygen fluctuations in tumor tissue could be monitored by tracking of the phosphorescence emission of DRC.
Advanced oxidation protein products induce hepatocyte epithelial–mesenchymal transition via a ROS‐dependent, TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Shibo , Xie Fang , Zhang Qifan , Cui Zhonglin , Cheng Xinsheng , Zhong Feng , He Kun , Zhou Jie 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during the progression of liver fibrosis in response to chronic liver injury. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of hepatocyte EMT remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) had an effect on hepatocyte EMT. The human L02 hepatocyte cell line and hepatocytes from normal Sprague–Dawley rats were challenged with AOPP treatment in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The expression of cell and molecular markers of EMT in L02 hepatocytes were studied using Western blotting, and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) assays. Hepatocyte migratory potential was analyzed using a wound healing assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using the dichlorofluorescein (DCF) assay. In liver tissue sections, expression of EMT markers was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, and collagen was assessed using histochemical staining with Masson's trichrome. The findings were that AOPP treatment resulted in EMT in hepatocytes, which was associated with reduced expression of E‐cadherin, increased expression of vimentin, increased deposition of collagen protein, and enhanced cell migration in vivo and in vitro. AOPP was also found to promote migration in L02 cells, and to promote the production of ROS and the activation of TGF‐βR and Smad signaling. Inhibition of the generation of intracellular ROS and TGF‐β receptor blocking could reverse AOPP‐induced EMT in hepatocytes. This study has identified a novel mechanism in the regulation of hepatocyte EMT, and the findings may have implications for the control of liver fibrosis.
Interpretation of Seemingly Contradictory Data: Low NMR S2 Order Parameters Observed in Helices and High NMR S2 Order Parameters in Disordered Loops of the Protein hGH at Low pH
Authors: Smith Lorna J. , Athill Roya , van Gunsteren Wilfred F. , Hansen Niels 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAt low pH, human growth hormone (hGH) adopts a partially folded state, in which the native helices are maintained, but the long loop regions and side‐chain packing become disordered. Some of the S2 order parameters for backbone N−H vectors derived from NMR relaxation measurements on hGH at low pH initially seem contradictory. Three isolated residues (15, 20, and 171) in helices A and D exhibit low order parameter values (<0.5) indicating flexibility, whereas residue 143 in the centre of a long flexible loop region has a high order parameter (0.82). Using S2 order parameter restraining MD simulations, this paradox has been resolved. Low S2 values in helices are due to the presence of a mixture of 310‐helical and α‐helical hydrogen bonds. High S2 values in relatively disordered parts of a protein may be due to fluctuating networks of hydrogen bonds between the backbone and the side chains, which restrict the motion of N−H bond vectors.
[60]Fullerene‐Based Macrocycle Ligands
Authors: Li Yanbang , Gan Liangbing 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMacrocycle ligands have three or more donor sites. Selective replacement of skeleton carbon atoms by heteroatoms and vacancies in C60 could lead to various macrocycle ligands with a cage‐shaped backbone. Theoretical calculations indicate that such C60‐based macrocycle ligands are as stable as C60 thermodynamically according to their similar HOMO–LUMO gaps. The synthesis of these ligands is a challenging task. Nevertheless important progresses have been reported. This concept article focuses on the structures of possible C60‐based macrocycle ligands and related synthetic results.
Nitrated Fatty Acids Modulate the Physical Properties of Model Membranes and the Structure of Transmembrane Proteins
Authors: Franz Johannes , Bereau Tristan , Pannwitt Stefanie , Anbazhagan Veerappan , Lehr Alexander , Nubbemeyer Udo , Dietz Ulrich , Bonn Mischa , Weidner Tobias , Schneider Dirk 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNitrated fatty acids (NO2‐FAs) act as anti‐inflammatory signal mediators, albeit the molecular mechanisms behind NO2‐FAs’ influence on diverse metabolic and signaling pathways in inflamed tissues are essentially elusive. Here, we combine fluorescence measurements with surface‐specific sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy and coarse‐grained computer simulations to demonstrate that NO2‐FAs alter lipid organization by accumulation at the membrane–water interface. As the function of membrane proteins strongly depends on both, protein structure as well as membrane properties, we consecutively follow the structural dynamics of an integral membrane protein in presence of NO2‐FAs. Based on our results, we suggest a molecular mechanism of the NO2‐FA in vivo activity: Driven by the NO2‐FA‐induced lipid layer reorganization, the structure and function of membrane‐associated (signaling) proteins is indirectly affected.
One‐Stage Syngas‐to‐Fuel Conversion with Printed Catalyst Layers in Microstructured Reactors
Authors: Sun Chenghao , Klumpp Michael , Binder Joachim R. , Pfeifer Peter , Dittmeyer Roland 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDie einstufige Treibstoffsynthese durch Kombination von Fischer‐Tropsch‐Synthese (FTS) und hydrierender Spaltung (HC) in einem mikrostrukturierten Reaktor wird untersucht. Dabei werden die Katalysatoren in einer sequenziellen Anordnung als aktive Wandbeschichtung in den Mikrokanälen aufgebracht. Im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen mikrostrukturierten Reaktoren mit gepackten Betten lassen sich hier die einzelnen Reaktionszonen unabhängig voneinander temperieren. Eine Steigerung der Selektivität und der Produktivität zu C5 – C20 bei simultaner Erhöhung von FTS‐ und HC‐Temperatur sowie die Langzeitstabilität der katalytisch aktiven Wandbeschichtung konnten demonstriert werden.
Common problems and artifacts encountered in solution‐state NMR experiments
Authors: Torres Allan M. , Price William S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNMR experiments contain many parameters that need to be set properly to produce spectra free from errors and artifacts. Modern NMR spectrometers nowadays incorporate standard experimental templates with ideal parameters that suit many common samples. These address many of the problems associated with most parameters but because of the variety of samples and various experiments that can be performed, the obtained spectra can be less than ideal displaying unwanted artifacts and inaccurate spectral properties. In this paper, some of the most common problems and artifacts in NMR experiments are presented and solutions discussed.
Establishment of a novel quantum dots‐encoded microbead‐based flow cytometric method for quantification of soluble FcεRIα in serum
Authors: Lin Kun , Xu Wen , Li Wanwan , Leng Yuankui , Wu Weijie , Peng Xia , Liang Yuting , Li Li 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe soluble form of the transmembrane glycoprotein, FcεRIα which corresponds to the high‐affinity receptor for IgE, is found in serum. Growing evidence suggests the pathogenic role of IgE and FcεRI in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The goal of this study is to develop a sensitive and standardized cytometric assay for quantification of sFcεRIα. A membrane emulsification technique was utilized to incorporate CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots and Fe3O4 nanoparticles into poly (styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) microbeads. The beads were then carboxylated and coated with capture antibody monoclonal anti‐human FcεRIα. This antibody binds to FcεRIα but does not block the binding of FcεRIα to IgE. After incubation with standards or serum samples, the microbeads were incubated with excessive native human IgE, followed by incubation with Phycoerythrin (PE) conjugated anti‐human IgE. The resulting quantum dot microbeads were gated, and sFcεRIα quantification was analyzed based on PE fluorescence intensity. The method exhibited good linearity (R2 > 0.99), and the limit of detection was established at 0.29 ng/mL with the dynamic range of up to 200 ng/mL. The precision of the assay validated by intra‐ and inter‐assay variability met the acceptance criteria with the mean recovery falling within 80–110% of the theoretical concentration and a corresponding CV < 20%. We tested 149 serum samples which 89 were from SLE patients and 60 were from healthy volunteers. For the first time, we detected an increased sFcεRIα level in the serum of SLE patients, which was confirmed by a commercial ELISA kit. Compared to ELISA, this novel method is more sensitive and efficient. It allows for the simple comparative analysis of sFcεRIα levels in health and disease. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
High Electrochemical Capacitance by Chemically Grafting Polyaniline Chains onto an Aniline‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide/TiO2 Nanotubes/Titanium Electrode
Authors: Faraji Masoud , Hasanzadeh Reza 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA nanocomposite electrode composed of polyaniline and graphene oxide (PANI‐g‐GO) was prepared by grafting polyaniline chains onto aniline‐functionalized graphene oxide deposited on TiO2 nanotubes/Ti electrode. The surface morphology of the fabricated electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their electrochemical activity was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). TEM and SEM results revealed that the PANI nanoparticles were uniformly loaded on the graphene sheets. The PANI‐g‐GO/TiO2 nanotubes/Ti electrodes exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 816 F g−1 at a current density of 7.0 A g−1 with 88 % capacitance retention after 2000 charge/discharge processes in 1.0 m H2SO4 solution, which is attributed to the synergistic effect of PANI/GO, good covalent bonding between PANI/GO, and a unique nanocomposite microstructure with high surface area.
Damage mechanics applied to performance‐based design of reinforced concrete columns
Authors: Cardona Luis Ignacio , Paultre Patrick , Mazars Jacky 
Published: May 2017

SummaryPerformance‐based design methodology is based on reaching performance objectives that are associated to certain damage conditions. These performance objectives are related to the seismic hazard and to the performance levels. In actual application, reliable tools are required for capturing the evolution of the damage condition as well as for measuring and locating it. Moreover, it is essential to accurately establish the relationship between the damage and the performance levels. This paper shows the application of damage mechanics to performance‐based design. A layered damage mechanics‐based finite element program is presented with a discussion on modeling for prediction of the response of normal‐strength and high‐strength concrete columns subjected to cyclic flexural loading and various axial load levels. The damage indices derived from these analyses were used to elaborate several damage charts expressed as a function of drift and displacement ductility. This makes it possible to establish a relationship between the damage state and the performance levels. Results have demonstrated the ability of the damage mechanics modeling to accurately predict the behavior of the specimens tested. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aberrant cognitive phenotypes and altered hippocampal BDNF expression related to epigenetic modifications in mice lacking the post‐synaptic scaffolding protein SHANK1: Implications for autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sungur A. Özge , Jochner Magdalena C.E. , Harb Hani , Kılıç Ayşe , Garn Holger , Schwarting Rainer K.W. , Wöhr Markus 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a class of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by persistent deficits in social communication/interaction, together with restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior. ASD is among the most heritable neuropsychiatric conditions, and while available evidence points to a complex set of genetic factors, the SHANK gene family has emerged as one of the most promising candidates. Here, we assessed ASD‐related phenotypes with particular emphasis on social behavior and cognition in Shank1 mouse mutants in comparison to heterozygous and wildtype littermate controls across development in both sexes. While social approach behavior was evident in all experimental conditions and social recognition was only mildly affected by genotype, Shank1−/− null mutant mice were severely impaired in object recognition memory. This effect was particularly prominent in juveniles, not due to impairments in object discrimination, and replicated in independent mouse cohorts. At the neurobiological level, object recognition deficits were paralleled by increased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression in the hippocampus of Shank1−/− mice; yet BDNF levels did not differ under baseline conditions. We therefore investigated changes in the epigenetic regulation of hippocampal BDNF expression and detected an enrichment of histone H3 acetylation at the Bdnf promoter1 in Shank1−/− mice, consistent with increased learning‐associated BDNF. Together, our findings indicate that Shank1 deletions lead to an aberrant cognitive phenotype characterized by severe impairments in object recognition memory and increased hippocampal BDNF levels, possibly due to epigenetic modifications. This result supports the link between ASD and intellectual disability, and suggests epigenetic regulation as a potential therapeutic target.
Electrochemical and biocompatibility examinations of high‐pressure torsion processed titanium and Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy
Authors: Dimić Ivana , Cvijović‐Alagić Ivana , Hohenwarter Anton , Pippan Reinhard , Kojić Vesna , Bajat Jelena , Rakin Marko 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to estimate the electrochemical behavior and biocompatibility of ultrafine‐grained (UFG) commercially pure titanium (CPTi) and Ti–13Nb–13Zr (TNZ) alloy obtained by high‐pressure torsion process. Electrochemical behavior of materials in artificial saliva at 37°C was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the obtained results indicated that UFG TNZ alloy showed corrosion current density (jcorr = 53 ± 5 nA cm−2) which was 2 times lower compared to coarse‐grained (CG) TNZ alloy (jcorr = 110 ± 12 nA cm−2) and higher corrosion resistance, while UFG CPTi and CPTi showed approximately the same corrosion rate (mean jcorr ∼ 38–40 nA cm−2). Static immersion test in artificial saliva, performed in this study, showed that the released ion concentrations from UFG materials were more than 10 times lower than the permitted concentration (the highest released Ti ion concentration from UFG CPTi and UFG TNZ alloy was 1.12 and 1.28 ppb, respectively, while permitted concentration was 15.5 ppb). The in vitro cytotoxicity tests, as the initial phase of the biocompatibility evaluation, showed that the fraction of surviving cells in all examined materials was much higher compared to the control sample and hence demonstrated absence of cytotoxicity and an increase of fibroblast cells adhesion on UFG materials surfaces. UFG CPTi and UFG TNZ alloy can be considered as promising materials for applications in dentistry due to high corrosion resistance and outstanding biocompatibility which were shown in this study. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1097–1107, 2018.