bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient discovery and capture of new neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95 uncouplers from herbal medicines using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers as artificial antibodies
Authors: Gu Xiaoli , Huang Jiaojiao , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yu , Wang Chong‐Zhi , Sun Chenghong , Yao Dandan , Li Fei , Chen Lina , Yuan Chun‐Su 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn the scope of stroke treatment, new neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95 uncouplers from herbal medicines were discovered and captured. To do so, highly selective magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers with a core–shell structure were prepared as artificial antibodies. According to the results of computational simulations, we designed and synthesized various polymers with varying amounts and types of template, functional monomer, cross‐linker, and solvent. Characterization and performance tests revealed that the most appropriate artificial antibodies showed uniform spherical morphologies, large adsorption capacities, fast‐binding kinetics, high selectivity, and quick separation. These artificial antibodies were then used as sorbents for dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to capture and identify structural analogs to ZL006 from extracts of Scutellariae radix, Psoraleae fructus, and Trifolium pratense. Furthermore, according to the neuroprotective effect and coimmunoprecipitation test, Baicalein, Neobavaisoflavone, Corylifol A, and Biochanin A can be the potential uncouplers of neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95. Therefore, this present study contributes valuable information for the discovery of neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95 uncouplers from herbal medicines.
Dialkylmagnesium‐Promoted Deprotonation of Protic Precursors for the Activated Anionic Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Epoxides
Authors: Roos Kévin , Wirotius Anne‐Laure , Carlotti Stéphane 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDialkylmagnesium (R2Mg) compounds are investigated as deprotonating agents of various protic functions to form reactive precursors for the anionic ring‐opening polymerization of epoxides, i.e., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and methyl glycidyl ether, activated by triisobutylaluminum (i‐Bu3Al). Experiments show a polymerizability of those monomers with the proposed system, short reaction times (hours), and a molar mass control up to 10 000 g mol−1. Protic moieties such as alcohol, thiol, amine, and alkyne are first deprotonated and then shown to initiate polyether chains. A precise study of the nature of the introduced groups in the α‐position of the polyether chains is presented. Monohydroxy terminated poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(dimethyl siloxane) are also used as macroinitiator after deprotonation by R2Mg for the polymerization of propylene oxide in the presence of i‐Bu3Al in order to get block copolymers.
Investigation of lithium distribution in the rat brain ex vivo using lithium‐7 magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging at 17.2 T
Authors: Stout Jacques , Hanak Anne‐Sophie , Chevillard Lucie , Djemaï Boucif , Risède Patricia , Giacomini Eric , Poupon Joël , Barrière David André , Bellivier Frank , Mégarbane Bruno , Boumezbeur Fawzi 
Published: July 2017

Lithium is the first‐line mood stabilizer for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder. However, its mechanisms of action and transport across the blood–brain barrier remain poorly understood. The contribution of lithium‐7 magnetic resonance imaging (7Li MRI) to investigate brain lithium distribution remains limited because of the modest sensitivity of the lithium nucleus and the expected low brain concentrations in humans and animal models. Therefore, we decided to image lithium distribution in the rat brain ex vivo using a turbo‐spin‐echo imaging sequence at 17.2 T. The estimation of lithium concentrations was performed using a phantom replacement approach accounting for B1 inhomogeneities and differential T1 and T2 weighting. Our MRI‐derived lithium concentrations were validated by comparison with inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) measurements ([Li]MRI = 1.18[Li]MS, R = 0.95). Overall, a sensitivity of 0.03 mmol/L was achieved for a spatial resolution of 16 μL. Lithium distribution was uneven throughout the brain (normalized lithium content ranged from 0.4 to 1.4) and was mostly symmetrical, with consistently lower concentrations in the metencephalon (cerebellum and brainstem) and higher concentrations in the cortex. Interestingly, low lithium concentrations were also observed close to the lateral ventricles. The average brain‐to‐plasma lithium ratio was 0.34 ± 0.04, ranging from 0.29 to 0.39. Brain lithium concentrations were reasonably correlated with plasma lithium concentrations, with Pearson correlation factors ranging from 0.63 to 0.90.
Quantitative Structure–Retention Relationships for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and their Oligoalkynyl‐Substituted Derivatives
Authors: Rouillé Gaël , Jäger Cornelia , Huisken Friedrich , Henning Thomas , Czerwonka Regina , Theumer Gabriele , Börger Carsten , Bauer Ingmar , Knölker Hans‐Joachim 
Published: July 2017

AbstractReversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) has been carried out for a series of unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the corresponding ethynyl, 1,3‐butadiynyl, and 1,3,5‐hexatriynyl derivatives. Theoretical values of the isotropic polarizability and several polarity descriptors have been computed for each compound by using semiempirical models and density functional theory (DFT), with the aim of evaluating linear functions as quantitative structure–retention relationships (QSRRs). The polarity has been described by using either the permanent electric dipole moment, the subpolarity, or a topological electronic index. Three types of partial atomic charges have been used to calculate the subpolarity and a topological index. The choice of the theoretical model, of the polarity descriptor, and of the partial atomic charges is discussed and the resulting QSRRs are compared. Calculating the retention times from the polarizability and the topological electronic index (AM1, PM3, or DFT‐B3LYP/6–31+G(d,p)) gives the best agreement with the experimental values.
Molecularly templated reaction for forming poly(dimethyl siloxane)–graphene oxide composite elastomers
Authors: Ha Heonjoo , Ha KiRyong , Ellison Christopher J. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThis study explores the molecularly templated reaction of pyrene‐terminated telechelic poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) with graphene oxide (GO) to produce composite elastomers. These materials undergo chemical crosslinking between secondary amides near PDMS chain ends and epoxies on the surface of GO as confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, rheology, gel content, and mechanical property measurements. The incorporation of pyrene end groups introduces π–π interactions with GO surfaces that enhance the reaction efficacy of the nearby secondary amide groups. As a comparison, methoxy‐terminated telechelic PDMS containing the same secondary amides near the chain ends did not exhibit appreciable crosslinking with GO. Depending on the concentration of the amide groups, the pyrene‐terminated PDMS/GO elastomer can be highly crosslinked (e.g., up to 96 wt % gel) but highly extensible (e.g., extensional strains of more than 200%). This general strategy could be implemented using other amide containing polymers to produce a wide range of high‐performance thermosets and elastomers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1406–1413
Modifying the Wettability of Nitramine Explosives using Anionic, Cationic and Nonionic Surfactants
Authors: Doukkali Mouhcine , Gauthier Eric , Patel Rajen B. , Stepanov Victor , Hadim Hamid 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWetting behavior of energetic materials surface including cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX), cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20) using nonionic (Triton‐X), anionic (SDS), and cationic (TTAB) surfactants has been studied by contact angle tensiometry. Results show that TTAB more significantly reduces the contact angle and improves wettability as compared to SDS and Triton‐X. The liquid‐vapor surface tension
was measured as a function of TTAB surfactant concentration in aqueous solutions and used to construct a Zisman plot to determine the critical surface tension of RDX, HMX and CL‐20. The results show that HMX displays the highest degree of wettability while RDX is most difficult to wet. The computed values of the work of spreading complement the previously discussed results where contact angle decreases with increasing surfactant concentration. They also indicate that RDX appears most impacted by the addition of TTAB surfactant. However, the addition of TTAB also has a significant impact on improving the wettability of HMX and CL‐20. This wettability study plays an important role in the formation of well‐wetted energetic surfaces needed for efficient wet milling, coating and granulation processes.
Insight into infection‐mediated prostate damage: Contrasting patterns of C‐reactive protein and prostate‐specific antigen levels during infection
Authors: Milbrandt Melissa , Winter Anke C. , Nevin Remington L. , Pakpahan Ratna , Bradwin Gary , De Marzo Angelo M. , Elliott Debra J. , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Isaacs William B. , Nelson William G. , Rifai Nader , Sokoll Lori J. , Zenilman Jonathan M. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Sutcliffe Siobhan 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundTo investigate mechanisms underlying our previous observation of a large rise in serum prostate‐specific antigen, a marker of prostate pathology, during both sexually transmitted and systemic infections, we measured serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, in our previous case‐control study of young, male US military members and compared our findings to those for PSA.MethodsWe measured hsCRP before and during infection for 299 chlamydia, 112 gonorrhea, and 59 non‐chlamydial, non‐gonococcal urethritis (NCNGU) cases; before and after infection for 55 infectious mononucleosis (IM) and 90 other systemic/non‐genitourinary cases; and for 220‐256 controls.ResultsOnly gonorrhea cases were significantly more likely to have a large hsCRP rise (≥1.40 mg/L or ≥239%) during infection than controls (P < 0.01). However, gonorrhea, IM, and other systemic/non‐genitourinary cases were more likely to have a rise of any magnitude up to one year post‐diagnosis than controls (p = 0.038‐0.077).ConclusionsThese findings, which differ from those for PSA, suggest distinct mechanisms of elevation for hsCRP and PSA, and support both direct (eg, prostate infection) and indirect (eg, systemic inflammation‐mediated prostate cell damage) mechanisms for PSA elevation. Future studies should explore our PSA findings further for their relevance to both prostate cancer screening and risk.
Multi‐gene phylogenetic analysis reveals that shochu‐fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains form a distinct sub‐clade of the Japanese sake cluster
Authors: Futagami Taiki , Kadooka Chihiro , Ando Yoshinori , Okutsu Kayu , Yoshizaki Yumiko , Setoguchi Shinji , Takamine Kazunori , Kawai Mikihiko , Tamaki Hisanori 
Published: July 2017

AbstractShochu is a traditional Japanese distilled spirit. The formation of the distinguishing flavour of shochu produced in individual distilleries is attributed to putative indigenous yeast strains. In this study, we performed the first (to our knowledge) phylogenetic classification of shochu strains based on nucleotide gene sequences. We performed phylogenetic classification of 21 putative indigenous shochu yeast strains isolated from 11 distilleries. All of these strains were shown or confirmed to be Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sharing species identification with 34 known S. cerevisiae strains (including commonly used shochu, sake, ale, whisky, bakery, bioethanol and laboratory yeast strains and clinical isolate) that were tested in parallel. Our analysis used five genes that reflect genome‐level phylogeny for the strain‐level classification. In a first step, we demonstrated that partial regions of the ZAP1, THI7, PXL1, YRR1 and GLG1 genes were sufficient to reproduce previous sub‐species classifications. In a second step, these five analysed regions from each of 25 strains (four commonly used shochu strains and the 21 putative indigenous shochu strains) were concatenated and used to generate a phylogenetic tree. Further analysis revealed that the putative indigenous shochu yeast strains form a monophyletic group that includes both the shochu yeasts and a subset of the sake group strains; this cluster is a sister group to other sake yeast strains, together comprising a sake‐shochu group. Differences among shochu strains were small, suggesting that it may be possible to correlate subtle phenotypic differences among shochu flavours with specific differences in genome sequences. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic Significance of Lymphocyte Counts in Colon Cancer Patients Treated with FOLFOX Chemotherapy
Authors: Noh O Kyu , Oh Seung Yeop , Kim Young Bae , Suh Kwang Wook 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPurposeThere is increasing interest in immune function in combination with chemotherapy for cancer treatment. However, the effects of chemotherapy on the human immune system remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in colon cancer patients who were treated with curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsTwo hundred thirty‐one patients with colon cancers who underwent curative surgery and FOLFOX adjuvant chemotherapy between November 2005 and December 2011 were included. Oncologic outcomes were analyzed with neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) before and after chemotherapy.ResultsThe 5‐year DFS rate was lower in colon cancer patients with low lymphocyte count during chemotherapy (61.9 vs. 76.7%, P = 0.026). Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that low lymphocyte count during chemotherapy was independently associated with poor disease‐free survival (HR 1.829; 95% CI 1.096–3.050; P = 0.021) in colon cancer patients who underwent FOLFOX adjuvant chemotherapy.ConclusionLymphocyte count during chemotherapy is a strong predictor of worse disease‐free survival in colon cancer patients who have undergone FOLFOX adjuvant chemotherapy.
Managing Incidentalomas Safely: Do Computed Tomography Requisitions Tell Us What We Need to Know?
Authors: Walker Matthew , Borgaonkar Joy , Manos Daria 
Published: July 2017

Purpose Technological advancements and the ever-increasing use of computed tomography (CT) have greatly increased the detection of incidental findings, including tiny pulmonary nodules. The management of many “incidentalomas” is significantly influenced by a patient's history of cancer. The study aim is to determine if CT requisitions include prior history of malignancy. Methods Requisitions for chest CTs performed at our adult tertiary care hospital during April 2012 were compared to a cancer history questionnaire, administered to patients at the time of CT scan. Patients were excluded from the study if the patient questionnaire was incomplete or if the purpose of the CT was for cancer staging or cancer follow-up. Results A total of 569 CTs of the chest were performed. Of the 327 patients that met inclusion criteria, 79 reported a history of cancer. After excluding patients for whom a history of malignancy could not be confirmed through a chart review and excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer, dysplasia, and in situ neoplasm, 68 patients were identified as having a history of malignancy. We found 44% (95% confidence interval [0.32-0.57]) of the chest CT requisitions for these 68 patients did not include the patient's history of cancer. Of the malignancies that were identified by patient questionnaire but omitted from the clinical history provided on the requisitions, 47% were malignancies that commonly metastasize to the lung. Conclusions A significant number of requisitions failed to disclose a history of cancer. Without knowledge of prior malignancy, radiologists cannot comply with current guidelines regarding the reporting and management of incidental findings.
Upward drift in cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β 42 assay values for more than 10 years
Authors: Schindler Suzanne E. , Sutphen Courtney L. , Teunissen Charlotte , McCue Lena M. , Morris John C. , Holtzman David M. , Mulder Sandra D. , Scheltens Philip , Xiong Chengjie , Fagan Anne M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe best‐established cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease are levels of amyloid β 42 (Aβ42), total tau (tau), and phosphorylated tau 181 (ptau). We examined whether a widely used commercial immunoassay for CSF Aβ42, tau, and ptau provided stable measurements for more than 10 years.MethodsINNOTEST assay values for CSF Aβ42, tau, and ptau from Washington University in St. Louis and VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, were evaluated.ResultsAβ42 values as measured by the INNOTEST assay drifted upward by approximately 3% per year over the past decade. Tau values remained relatively stable, whereas results for ptau were mixed.DiscussionAssay drift may reduce statistical power or even confound analyses. The drift in INNOTEST Aβ42 values may reduce diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer's disease in the clinic. We recommend methods to account for assay drift in existing data sets and to reduce assay drift in future studies.
Coprophilous fungi from dung of the Greater One-Horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park, India and its implication to paleoherbivory and paleoecology
Authors: Basumatary Sadhan K. , McDonald H. Gregory 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFungal spores, especially those of coprophilous fungi, are present in dung middens ofRhinoceros unicornis(greater one-horned rhinoceros) in both forest and grassland areas of the Kaziranga National Park, India. The presence of coprophilous fungi on rhino dung, chieflySporormiella,Saccobolus,Ascodesmis,Cercophora, andSordaria, is documented for the first time. TheSporormiella–Ascodesmis–Saccobolusassemblage is abundant and characterizes the rhino dung in forest and grassland areas. The presence of coprophilous fungi spores allows for an examination of the relationship between rhinoceros ecology and the flora and other fauna in the region. The overall dataset is useful in interpreting the present and past distribution of rhino and other associated animals based on the relative abundance of different types of coprophilous fungi spores and their relationship to paleoherbivory and paleoecology in India and adjoining areas.
Modelling the influence of host community composition in a sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi system
Authors: ERAZO DIANA , CORDOVEZ JUAN , CABRERA CAROLINA , CALZADA JOSE E. , SALDAÑA AZAEL , GOTTDENKER NICOLE L. 
Published: July 2017

SUMMARYSpecies composition of wild reservoir hosts can influence the transmission and maintenance of multi-host vector borne pathogens. The ‘pace of life’ hypothesis proposes that the life history strategy of reservoir hosts can influence pathogen transmission of vector borne generalist pathogens. We use empirical data to parameterize a mathematical model that investigates the impacts of host life history traits on vector transmission dynamics of the vector-borne multi-host parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in habitats characterized by different degrees of deforestation and varying host community structure. The model considers susceptible and infected vector and host populations. When comparing the proportion of vectors infected with T. cruzi predicted by the model with empirical data, we found a trend of increasing vector infection as anthropogenic landscape disturbance increases for both data and model output. The model's vector infection rates were significantly lower than empirical results, but when incorporating host congenital transmission in the model, vector infection approaches field data. We conclude that intervened habitats associated with r-selected host species communities predict higher proportions of infected vectors.
Poor blood pressure control in adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta and hypertension: a register-based study of associated factors
Authors: Rinnström Daniel , Dellborg Mikael , Thilén Ulf , Sörensson Peder , Nielsen Niels-Erik , Christersson Christina , Ugander Martin , Johansson Bengt 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundArterial hypertension is common in adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta, and is associated with several severe complications.AimsThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of poorly controlled (⩾140/90 mmHg) blood pressure among patients with diagnosed hypertension and to identify associated factors.MethodsIn the national register for CHD, adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta and diagnosed hypertension – defined as a registry diagnosis and/or use of anti-hypertensive prescription medication – were identified. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with poorly controlled blood pressure.ResultsOf the 243 included patients, 27.2% were female, the mean age was 45.4±15.3 years, and 52.3% had poorly controlled blood pressure at the last registration. In a multivariable model, age (years) (OR 1.03, CI 1.01–1.06, p=0.008) was independently associated with poorly controlled blood pressure and so was systolic arm–leg blood pressure gradient in the ranges [10, 20] mmHg (OR 4.92, CI 1.76–13.79, p=0.002) to >20 mmHg (OR 9.93, CI 2.99–33.02, p<0.001), in comparison with the reference interval [0, 10] mmHg. Patients with poorly controlled blood pressure had, on average, more types of anti-hypertensive medication classes prescribed (1.9 versus 1.5, p=0.003).ConclusionsPoorly controlled blood pressure is common among patients with repaired coarctation of the aorta and diagnosed hypertension, despite what seems to be more intensive treatment. A systolic arm–leg blood pressure gradient is associated with poorly controlled blood pressure, even at low levels usually not considered for intervention, and may be an indicator of hypertension that is difficult to treat.
Linc-DYNC2H1-4 promotes EMT and CSC phenotypes by acting as a sponge of miR-145 in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Gao Yuran , Zhang Zhicheng , Li Kai , Gong Liying , Yang Qingzhu , Huang Xuemei , Hong Chengcheng , Ding Mingfeng , Yang Huanjie 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe acquisition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and/or existence of a sub-population of cancer stem-like cells (CSC) are associated with malignant behavior and chemoresistance. To identify which factor could promote EMT and CSC formation and uncover the mechanistic role of such factor is important for novel and targeted therapies. In the present study, we found that the long intergenic non-coding RNA linc-DYNC2H1-4 was upregulated in pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3-Gem with acquired gemcitabine resistance. Knockdown of linc-DYNC2H1-4 decreased the invasive behavior of BxPC-3-Gem cells while ectopic expression of linc-DYNC2H1-4 promoted the acquisition of EMT and stemness of the parental sensitive cells. Linc-DYNC2H1-4 upregulated ZEB1, the EMT key player, which led to upregulation and downregulation of its targets vimentin and E-cadherin respectively, as well as enhanced the expressions of CSC makers Lin28, Nanog, Sox2 and Oct4. Linc-DYNC2H1-4 is mainly located in the cytosol. Mechanically, it could sponge miR-145 that targets ZEB1, Lin28, Nanog, Sox2, Oct4 to restore these EMT and CSC-associated genes expressions. We proved that MMP3, the nearby gene of linc-DYNC2H1-4 in the sense strand, was also a target of miR-145. Downregulation of MMP3 by miR-145 was reverted by linc-DYNC2H1-4, indicating that competing with miR-145 is one of the mechanisms for linc-DYNC2H1-4 to regulate MMP3. In summary, our results explore the important role of linc-DYNC2H1-4 in the acquisition of EMT and CSC, and the impact it has on gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells.