bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Structure, and Fluorescent Properties of Lanthanide Complexes Based on 8‐Hydroxyquinoline‐7‐carboxylic Acid
Authors: Sun Changyan , Zhao Peiying , Wei Meiju , Chang Zhidong , Li Wenjun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe lanthanide complex [Eu3(8‐HQCA)3(COOH)(OH)2(H2O)3]n·nH2O (8‐HQCA = 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐7‐carboxylic acid) was synthesized and characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that the trinuclear structures are linked by ligands to form 2D layers. The results of DFT calculation shows that energy can be transferred effectively from the ligand to EuIIIions. A series of heteronuclear complexes {[(Eu1–xYx)3(8‐HQCA)3(COOH) (OH)2(H2O)3]n·nH2O (x= 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8)} were synthesized and their luminescent properties were studied. The results showed that the doping of YIIIions could change the fluorescent intensity of the EuIIIcomplex, but could not change their positions.
Surface Parameters and Biological Activity of N‐(3‐(Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonio) Propyl) Alkanamide Chloride Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Shaban Samy M. , Aiad Ismail , Ismail Abdallah R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThree cationic surfactants containing amide groups were prepared by quaternization of dimethylaminopropylamine with benzyl chloride. FTIR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy were used to confirm the chemical structure of the prepared cationic surfactants. The surface parameters were estimated using surface tension measurements at three different temperatures. The prepared cationic surfactant showed a lower CMC than conventional cationic surfactants. Thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and micellization depend mainly of alkyl chain length and temperature. The adsorption process is more favorable than micellization. The biological activity of the three surfactants was estimated using inhibition zone showing that amidoamine cationic surfactants have good activity and the surfactants C12Bn is the most effective one.
Active Polysubstance Abuse Concurrent with Surgery as a Possible Newly Identified Infection Risk Factor in Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement Based on a Retrospective Analysis of Health and Socioeconomic Factors
Authors: Balen Alejandra , Gross Martin S. , Phillips Elizabeth A. , Henry Gerard D. , Munarriz Ricardo 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Since the introduction of inflatable penile prostheses (IPPs), risk of infection has decreased. However, concurrent substance abuse has not been investigated in prosthetic urology.

Aims
To determine whether substance abuse would stand out as a relevant risk factor for infection in patients undergoing IPP implantation.

Methods
This retrospective study was conducted on charts from the past 12 years at our institution, where a single surgeon completed 602 primary IPP surgeries, with only 12 cases (2%) resulting in postoperative infection. Five of these patients (42%) were actively misusing at least one substance at the time of operation (ie, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, other illicit substances, and prescription narcotics). Substance abuse was identified in the medical chart by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code or by clear documentation by a provider. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of infection as a function of demographic, physical, and treatment variables.

Main Outcome Measures
Logistic regression analysis was used to determine statistically significant correlations between risk factors and IPP infection.

Results
Polysubstance abuse, poorly controlled blood sugar, and homelessness at the time of procedure positively correlated with postoperative infection. Use of the mummy wrap correlated with decreased infection.

Conclusion
Active polysubstance abuse, poor glycemic control, and homelessness increase infection risk at IPP implantation. We encourage other implanters to discuss active polysubstance abuse with their patients and to tread cautiously because of the increased risk of infection.
Attenuation of the programmed cell death-1 pathway increases the M1 polarization of macrophages induced by zymosan
Authors: Chen W , Wang J , Jia L , Liu J , Tian Y 
Published: February 2016

AbstractProgrammed cell death-1 (PD-1) is a member of the CD28 superfamily that delivers negative signals on interaction with its 2 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. We assessed the contribution of the PD-1 pathway to regulating the polarization of macrophages that promote inflammation induced by zymosan. We found that PD-1−/− mice developed robust peritonitis with more abundant infiltration of M1 macrophages, accompanied by higher levels of pro-inflammation factors, especially monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) compared with wild-type controls ex vivo and in vitro. Our results indicated that PD-1 deficiency promotes M1 rather than M2 polarization of macrophages by enhancing the expression of p-STAT1/p-NF-κB p65 and downregulating p-STAT6. We found that PD-1 engagement followed by zymosan stimulation might primarily attenuate the phosphorylation of tyrosine residue in PD-1 receptor/ligand and the recruitment of SHP-2 to PD-1 receptor/ligand, leading to the reduction of M1 type cytokine production.
Chlamydia trachomatis from Australian Aboriginal people with trachoma are polyphyletic composed of multiple distinctive lineages
Authors: Andersson Patiyan , Harris Simon R. , Smith Helena M. B. Seth , Hadfield James , O’Neill Colette , Cutcliffe Lesley T. , Douglas Fiona P. , Asche L. Valerie , Mathews John D. , Hutton Susan I. , Sarovich Derek S. , Tong Steven Y. C. , Clarke Ian N. , Thomson Nicholas R. , Giffard Philip M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractChlamydia trachomatis causes sexually transmitted infections and the blinding disease trachoma. Current data on C. trachomatis phylogeny show that there is only a single trachoma-causing clade, which is distinct from the lineages causing urogenital tract (UGT) and lymphogranuloma venerum diseases. Here we report the whole-genome sequences of ocular C. trachomatis isolates obtained from young children with clinical signs of trachoma in a trachoma endemic region of northern Australia. The isolates form two lineages that fall outside the classical trachoma lineage, instead being placed within UGT clades of the C. trachomatis phylogenetic tree. The Australian trachoma isolates appear to be recombinants with UGT C. trachomatis genome backbones, in which loci that encode immunodominant surface proteins (ompA and pmpEFGH) have been replaced by those characteristic of classical ocular isolates. This suggests that ocular tropism and association with trachoma are functionally associated with some sequence variants of ompA and pmpEFGH.
BTG2 bridges PABPC1 RNA-binding domains and CAF1 deadenylase to control cell proliferation
Authors: Stupfler Benjamin , Birck Catherine , Séraphin Bertrand , Mauxion Fabienne 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWhile BTG2 plays an important role in cellular differentiation and cancer, its precise molecular function remains unclear. BTG2 interacts with CAF1 deadenylase through its APRO domain, a defining feature of BTG/Tob factors. Our previous experiments revealed that expression of BTG2 promoted mRNA poly(A) tail shortening through an undefined mechanism. Here we report that the APRO domain of BTG2 interacts directly with the first RRM domain of the poly(A)-binding protein PABPC1. Moreover, PABPC1 RRM and BTG2 APRO domains are sufficient to stimulate CAF1 deadenylase activity in vitro in the absence of other CCR4–NOT complex subunits. Our results unravel thus the mechanism by which BTG2 stimulates mRNA deadenylation, demonstrating its direct role in poly(A) tail length control. Importantly, we also show that the interaction of BTG2 with the first RRM domain of PABPC1 is required for BTG2 to control cell proliferation.
Organic–inorganic supramolecular solid catalyst boosts organic reactions in water
Authors: García-García Pilar , Moreno José María , Díaz Urbano , Bruix Marta , Corma Avelino 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCoordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks are appealing as synthetic hosts for mediating chemical reactions. Here we report the preparation of a mesoscopic metal-organic structure based on single-layer assembly of aluminium chains and organic alkylaryl spacers. The material markedly accelerates condensation reactions in water in the absence of acid or base catalyst, as well as organocatalytic Michael-type reactions that also show superior enantioselectivity when comparing with the host-free transformation. The mesoscopic phase of the solid allows for easy diffusion of products and the catalytic solid is recycled and reused. Saturation transfer difference and two-dimensional 1H nuclear Overhauser effect NOESY NMR spectroscopy show that non-covalent interactions are operative in these host–guest systems that account for substrate activation. The mesoscopic character of the host, its hydrophobicity and chemical stability in water, launch this material as a highly attractive supramolecular catalyst to facilitate (asymmetric) transformations under more environmentally friendly conditions.
Directed evolution of G protein-coupled receptors in yeast for higher functional production in eukaryotic expression hosts
Authors: Schütz Marco , Schöppe Jendrik , Sedlák Erik , Hillenbrand Matthias , Nagy-Davidescu Gabriela , Ehrenmann Janosch , Klenk Christoph , Egloff Pascal , Kummer Lutz , Plückthun Andreas 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDespite recent successes, many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remained refractory to detailed molecular studies due to insufficient production yields, even in the most sophisticated eukaryotic expression systems. Here we introduce a robust method employing directed evolution of GPCRs in yeast that allows fast and efficient generation of receptor variants which show strongly increased functional production levels in eukaryotic expression hosts. Shown by evolving three different receptors in this study, the method is widely applicable, even for GPCRs which are very difficult to express. The evolved variants showed up to a 26-fold increase of functional production in insect cells compared to the wild-type receptors. Next to the increased production, the obtained variants exhibited improved biophysical properties, while functional properties remained largely unaffected. Thus, the presented method broadens the portfolio of GPCRs accessible for detailed investigations. Interestingly, the functional production of GPCRs in yeast can be further increased by induced host adaptation.
In vivo detection of small tumour lesions by multi-pinhole SPECT applying a 99mTc-labelled nanobody targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
Authors: Krüwel Thomas , Nevoltris Damien , Bode Julia , Dullin Christian , Baty Daniel , Chames Patrick , Alves Frauke 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe detection of tumours in an early phase of tumour development in combination with the knowledge of expression of tumour markers such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important prerequisite for clinical decisions. In this study we applied the anti-EGFR nanobody 99mTc-D10 for visualizing small tumour lesions with volumes below 100 mm3 by targeting EGFR in orthotopic human mammary MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 and subcutaneous human epidermoid A431 carcinoma mouse models. Use of nanobody 99mTc-D10 of a size as small as 15.5 kDa enables detection of tumours by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging already 45 min post intravenous administration with high tumour uptake (>3% ID/g) in small MDA-MB-468 and A431 tumours, with tumour volumes of 52.5 mm3 ± 21.2 and 26.6 mm3 ± 16.7, respectively. Fast blood clearance with a serum half-life of 4.9 min resulted in high in vivo contrast and ex vivo tumour to blood and tissue ratios. In contrast, no accumulation of 99mTc-D10 in MDA-MB-231 tumours characterized by a very low expression of EGFR was observed. Here we present specific and high contrast in vivo visualization of small human tumours overexpressing EGFR by preclinical multi-pinhole SPECT shortly after administration of anti-EGFR nanobody 99mTc-D10.
Pharmacological BACE1 and BACE2 inhibition induces hair depigmentation by inhibiting PMEL17 processing in mice
Authors: Shimshek Derya R. , Jacobson Laura H. , Kolly Carine , Zamurovic Natasa , Balavenkatraman Kamal Kumar , Morawiec Laurent , Kreutzer Robert , Schelle Juliane , Jucker Mathias , Bertschi Barbara , Theil Diethilde , Heier Annabelle , Bigot Karine , Beltz Karen , Machauer Rainer , Brzak Irena , Perrot Ludovic , Neumann Ulf 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMelanocytes of the hair follicle produce melanin and are essential in determining the differences in hair color. Pigment cell-specific MELanocyte Protein (PMEL17) plays a crucial role in melanogenesis. One of the critical steps is the amyloid-like functional oligomerization of PMEL17. Beta Site APP Cleaving Enzyme-2 (BACE2) and γ-secretase have been shown to be key players in generating the proteolytic fragments of PMEL17. The β-secretase (BACE1) is responsible for the generation of amyloid-β (Aβ) fragments in the brain and is therefore proposed as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Currently BACE1 inhibitors, most of which lack selectivity over BACE2, have demonstrated efficacious reduction of amyloid-β peptides in animals and the CSF of humans. BACE2 knock-out mice have a deficiency in PMEL17 proteolytic processing leading to impaired melanin storage and hair depigmentation. Here, we confirm BACE2-mediated inhibition of PMEL17 proteolytic processing in vitro in mouse and human melanocytes. Furthermore, we show that wildtype as well as bace2+/− and bace2−/− mice treated with a potent dual BACE1/BACE2 inhibitor NB-360 display dose-dependent appearance of irreversibly depigmented hair. Retinal pigmented epithelium showed no morphological changes. Our data demonstrates that BACE2 as well as additional BACE1 inhibition affects melanosome maturation and induces hair depigmentation in mice.
Characterization of triclosan metabolism in Sphingomonas sp. strain YL-JM2C
Authors: Mulla Sikandar I. , Wang Han , Sun Qian , Hu Anyi , Yu Chang-Ping 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTriclosan (TCS) is one of the most widespread emerging contaminants and has adverse impact on aquatic ecosystem, yet little is known about its complete biodegradation mechanism in bacteria. Sphingomonas sp, strain YL-JM2C, isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant, was very effective on degrading TCS. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the conditions like temperature and pH. From RSM, the optimal TCS degradation conditions were found to be 30 °C and pH 7.0. Under optimal conditions, strain YL-JM2C completely mineralized TCS (5 mg L−1) within 72 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2-chlorohydroquinone and hydroquinone are three main by-products of TCS. Furthermore, stable isotope experimental results revealed that the 13C12-TCS was completely mineralized into CO2 and part of heavier carbon (13C) of labeled TCS was utilized by strain YL-JM2C to synthesize fatty acids (PLFAs). Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and degradation test results suggested that the strain could enhance degradation capacity of TCS through increasing CSH. In addition, the bacterium also completely degraded spiked TCS (5 mg L−1) in wastewater collected from the wastewater treatment plant. Hence, these results suggest that the strain has potential to remediate TCS in the environment.
Molecular Recognition by Templated Folding of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein
Authors: Toto Angelo , Camilloni Carlo , Giri Rajanish , Brunori Maurizio , Vendruscolo Michele , Gianni Stefano 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntrinsically disordered proteins often become structured upon interacting with their partners. The mechanism of this ‘folding upon binding’ process, however, has not been fully characterised yet. Here we present a study of the folding of the intrinsically disordered transactivation domain of c-Myb (c-Myb) upon binding its partner KIX. By determining the structure of the folding transition state for the binding of wild-type and three mutational variants of KIX, we found a remarkable plasticity of the folding pathway of c-Myb. To explain this phenomenon, we show that the folding of c-Myb is templated by the structure of KIX. This adaptive folding behaviour, which occurs by heterogeneous nucleation, differs from the robust homogeneous nucleation typically observed for globular proteins. We suggest that this templated folding mechanism may enable intrinsically disordered proteins to achieve specific and reliable binding with multiple partners while avoiding aberrant interactions.
Akermanite bioceramics promote osteogenesis, angiogenesis and suppress osteoclastogenesis for osteoporotic bone regeneration
Authors: Xia Lunguo , Yin Zhilan , Mao Lixia , Wang Xiuhui , Liu Jiaqiang , Jiang Xinquan , Zhang Zhiyuan , Lin Kaili , Chang Jiang , Fang Bing 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIt is a big challenge for bone healing under osteoporotic pathological condition with impaired angiogenesis, osteogenesis and remodeling. In the present study, the effect of Ca, Mg, Si containing akermanite bioceramics (Ca2MgSi2O7) extract on cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and angiogenic factor expression of BMSCs derived from ovariectomized rats (BMSCs-OVX) as well as the expression of osteoclastogenic factors was evaluated. The results showed that akermanite could enhance cell proliferation, ALP activity, expression of Runx2, BMP-2, BSP, OPN, OCN, OPG and angiogenic factors including VEGF and ANG-1. Meanwhile, akermanite could repress expression of osteoclastogenic factors including RANKL and TNF-α. Moreover, akermanite could activate ERK, P38, AKT and STAT3 signaling pathways, while crosstalk among these signaling pathways was evident. More importantly, the effect of akermanite extract on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by TRAP staining and real-time PCR assay. The results showed that akermanite could suppress osteoclast formation and expression of TRAP, cathepsin K and NFATc1. Thein vivoexperiments revealed that akermanite bioceramics dramatically stimulated osteogenesis and angiogenesis in an OVX rat critical-sized calvarial defect model. All these results suggest that akermanite bioceramics with the effects of Mg and Si ions on osteogenesis, angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis are promising biomaterials for osteoporotic bone regeneration.
Quantum gates by periodic driving
Authors: Shi Z. C. , Wang W. , Yi X. X. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTopological quantum computation has been extensively studied in the past decades due to its robustness against decoherence. One way to realize the topological quantum computation is by adiabatic evolutions—it requires relatively long time to complete a gate, so the speed of quantum computation slows down. In this work, we present a method to realize single qubit quantum gates by periodic driving. Compared to adiabatic evolution, the single qubit gates can be realized at a fixed time much shorter than that by adiabatic evolution. The driving fields can be sinusoidal or square-well field. With the sinusoidal driving field, we derive an expression for the total operation time in the high-frequency limit and an exact analytical expression for the evolution operator without any approximations is given for the square well driving. This study suggests that the period driving could provide us with a new direction in regulations of the operation time in topological quantum computation.
Quantitative imaging of gold nanoparticle distribution in a tumor-bearing mouse using benchtop x-ray fluorescence computed tomography
Authors: Manohar Nivedh , Reynoso Francisco J. , Diagaradjane Parmeswaran , Krishnan Sunil , Cho Sang Hyun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractX-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) is a technique that can identify, quantify and locate elements within objects by detecting x-ray fluorescence (characteristic x-rays) stimulated by an excitation source, typically derived from a synchrotron. However, the use of a synchrotron limits practicality and accessibility of XFCT for routine biomedical imaging applications. Therefore, we have developed the ability to perform XFCT on a benchtop setting with ordinary polychromatic x-ray sources. Here, we report our postmortem study that demonstrates the use of benchtop XFCT to accurately image the distribution of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) injected into a tumor-bearing mouse. The distribution of GNPs as determined by benchtop XFCT was validated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This investigation shows drastically enhanced sensitivity and specificity of GNP detection and quantification with benchtop XFCT, up to two orders of magnitude better than conventional x-ray CT. The results also reaffirm the unique capabilities of benchtop XFCT for simultaneous determination of the spatial distribution and concentration of nonradioactive metallic probes, such as GNPs, within the context of small animal imaging. Overall, this investigation identifies a clear path toward in vivo molecular imaging using benchtop XFCT techniques in conjunction with GNPs and other metallic probes.
Prevalence of Corneal Astigmatism and Anterior Segmental Biometry Characteristics Before Surgery in Chinese Congenital Cataract Patients
Authors: Lin Duoru , Chen Jingjing , Liu Zhenzhen , Wu Xiaohang , Long Erping , Luo Lixia , Lin Zhuoling , Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Li , Chen Hui , Liu Jinchao , Chen Weirong , Lin Haotian , Liu Yizhi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe prevalence and the distribution characteristics of corneal astigmatism (CA) and anterior segment biometry before surgery in Chinese congenital cataract (CC) patients are not completely understood. This study involved 400 CC patients from the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center enrolled from February 2011 to August 2015. Data on CA, keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured by the Pentacam Scheimpflug System. The mean age of patients was 54.27 months, and the ratio of boys to girls was 1.53:1. The mean CA was 2.03 diopters (D), and 39.25% of subjects had CA values ≥2 D. The most frequent (71.8%) diagnosis was with-the-rule astigmatism. Oblique astigmatism was present in 16.2% of cases, and 12% of cases had against-the-rule astigmatism. The mean keratometry measurement of cataractous eyes in bilateral patients was significantly larger than that in unilateral patients. Girls had a larger mean keratometry but a thinner CCT than did boys. The CA, CCT, and ACD of cataractous eyes were significantly larger than those of non-cataractous eyes in unilateral patients. The CA, mean keratometry, CCT, and ACD in CC patients varied with age, gender, and laterality. Fully understanding these characteristics may help inform guidelines and treatment decisions in CC patients.
Compressive Spectral Method for the Simulation of the Nonlinear Gravity Waves
Authors: Bayındır Cihan 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper an approach for decreasing the computational effort required for the spectral simulations of the fully nonlinear ocean waves is introduced. The proposed approach utilizes the compressive sampling algorithm and depends on the idea of using a smaller number of spectral components compared to the classical spectral method. After performing the time integration with a smaller number of spectral components and using the compressive sampling technique, it is shown that the ocean wave field can be reconstructed with a significantly better efficiency compared to the classical spectral method. For the sparse ocean wave model in the frequency domain the fully nonlinear ocean waves with Jonswap spectrum is considered. By implementation of a high-order spectral method it is shown that the proposed methodology can simulate the linear and the fully nonlinear ocean waves with negligible difference in the accuracy and with a great efficiency by reducing the computation time significantly especially for large time evolutions.