bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scaffold Optimisation of Tetravalent Antagonists of the Mannose Binding Lectin
Authors: Goti Giulio , Palmioli Alessandro , Stravalaci Matteo , Sattin Sara , De Simoni Maria‐Grazia , Gobbi Marco , Bernardi Anna 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAntagonists of mannose binding lectin (MBL) have shown a protective role against brain reperfusion damage after acute ischemic stroke. Here we describe the design and streamlined synthesis of glycomimetic MBL antagonists based on a new tetravalent dendron scaffold. The dendron was developed by optimisation of a known polyester structure previously demonstrated to be very efficient for ligand presentation to MBL. Replacement of a labile succinyl ester bond with a more robust amide functionality, use of a longer and more hydrophilic linker, fast modular synthesis and orthogonal functionalisation at the focal point are the main features of the new scaffold. The glycoconjugate constructs become stable to silica gel chromatography and to water solutions at physiological pH, while preserving water solubility and activity in an SPR assay against the murine MBL‐C isoform. Higher‐order constructs were easily assembled, as demonstrated by the synthesis of a 16‐valent dendrimer, which leads to two orders of magnitude increase in activity over the tetravalent version against MBL‐C.
Phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant bevacizumab plus pemetrexed and carboplatin in patients with unresectable stage III lung adenocarcinoma (GASTO 1001)
Authors: Ou Wei , Li Ning , Wang Si‐Yu , Li Jian , Liu Qian‐Wen , Huang Qun‐Ai , Wang Bao‐Xiao 
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUNDThe objective of this phase 2 trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of induction bevacizumab plus chemotherapy followed by surgery in patients with unresectable stage III lung adenocarcinoma.METHODSThe authors investigated induction bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg) plus pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 5) followed by surgery for patients with unresectable stage III lung adenocarcinoma ages 18 to 65 years. The patients received neoadjuvant therapy every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Surgery was scheduled 3 to 4 weeks after the last neoadjuvant therapy; then, the medical team assessed each patient's resectability status. The primary endpoint was the resectability rate.RESULTSFrom April 2012 to April 2014, 42 patients were enrolled and received bevacizumab plus pemetrexed and carboplatin. Grade 3 or 4 induction‐related AEs included fatigue in 5 patients, neutropenia in 4 patients, hypertension in 1 patient, anemia in 1 patient, and thrombocytopenia in 1 patient. One patient achieved a complete response, 22 achieved a partial response, 17 had stable disease, and 2 had progressive disease. After neoadjuvant therapy, 31 patients (73.8%) underwent surgery, including 11 who underwent pneumonectomy. Complete (R0) resection was achieved in 22 patients (52.4%). Reoperation was required in 1 patient because of a bleeding intercostal artery. No perioperative thromboembolic events or wound‐healing problems were observed. The median event‐free survival was 15.4 months, and the 1‐year event‐free survival rate was 56.1%.CONCLUSIONSTreatment with neoadjuvant bevacizumab in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin followed by surgery appears to be feasible and safe in patients with unresectable stage III lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer 2016;122:740–747. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Influence of the Inner‐Shell Architecture on Quantum Yield and Blinking Dynamics in Core/Multishell Quantum Dots
Authors: Bajwa Pooja , Gao Feng , Nguyen Anh , Omogo Benard , Heyes Colin D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractChoosing the composition of a shell for QDs is not trivial, as both the band‐edge energy offset and interfacial lattice mismatch influence the final optical properties. One way to balance these competing effects is by forming multishells and/or gradient‐alloy shells. However, this introduces multiple interfaces, and their relative effects on quantum yield and blinking are not yet fully understood. Here, we undertake a systematic, comparative study of the addition of inner shells of a single component versus gradient‐alloy shells of cadmium/zinc chalogenides onto CdSe cores, and then capping with a thin ZnS outer shell to form various core/multishell configurations. We show that architecture of the inner shell between the CdSe core and the outer ZnS shell significantly influences both the quantum yield and blinking dynamics, but that these effects are not correlated—a high ensemble quantum yield doesn′t necessarily equate to reduced blinking. Two mathematical models have been proposed to describe the blinking dynamics—the more common power‐law model and a more recent multiexponential model. By binning the same data with 1 and 20 ms resolution, we show that the on times can be better described by the multiexponential model, whereas the off times can be better described by the power‐law model. We discuss physical mechanisms that might explain this behavior and how it can be affected by the inner‐shell architecture.
Photoinduced Charge Separation on the Microsecond Timescale in Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Suspensions
Authors: Baldoví Herme G. , Álvaro Mercedes , Ferrer Belén , García Hermenegildo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTransient absorption spectroscopy of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) suspensions provides evidence for the photochemical generation of a charge‐separated state on the microsecond timescale upon laser excitation. The lifetime and quantum yield of charge separation in suspended rGO were found to be higher than for GO. This could be advantageous for optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications, where graphene‐based materials act as charge (electron) carriers. The electron‐transfer quenching of the rGO charge‐separated state by different amines is more efficient when the amine is a better electron donor and more easily oxidized.
Nutritional indexes, fatty acids profile, and regiodistribution of oil extracted from four discarded species of the Alboran Sea: Seasonal effects
Authors: Morales‐Medina Rocío , García‐Moreno Pedro J. , Pérez‐Gálvez Raúl , Muñío María M. , Guadix Antonio , Guadix Emilia M. 
Published: December 2015

The new EU fisheries regulations state that all catches from pelagic fisheries must be landed from the January 1, 2015 on. Consequently, the development of new techniques for the up‐grading of these discards is required. The aim of this work was to study the variations of the lipid profile and nutritional value of the oil extracted from four discarded species: axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou). To that end, the proximate composition, the lipid profile, the regiospecific distribution of fatty acids within the glycerol backbone, the nutritional parameters (thrombogenic and atherogenicity indexes and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio), and the peroxidability index were determined in each season. All species presented polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as the major fraction in both the global and the sn‐2 profile. DHA presented highly regiospecifity to position sn‐2 whereas the tendency of EPA was to occupy sn‐1(3) positions. The relative concentration of PUFA occupying sn‐2 position varied from 30 to 60% (molar basis).Practical applications: This work proposes an up‐grading strategy for the fish oils extracted from four discarded pelagic species. In the last decades, fish oils have been widely employed as source for the production of structured lipids or PUFA concentrates. The choice between both applications depends on the fatty acids regiodistribution within the glycerol backbone. Oils with high PUFA content at the central bond may be selected for the production of structured lipids by using sn1‐3 lipases. In this case, the central position remains unmodified. To obtain concentrates it is necessary to release the free fatty acids and subsequently re‐esterified them. Consequently, oils with lower PUFA content in the central position are preferred for the production of concentrates by urea complexation or winterization.Seasonal variation of the percentage of DHA located at the sn‐2 position of four discarded species (axillary seabream, sardine, horse mackerel, and blue whiting).
Material specific lateralization of medial temporal lobe function: An fMRI investigation
Authors: Dalton Marshall A. , Hornberger Michael , Piguet Olivier 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe theory of material specific lateralization of memory function posits that left and right MTL regions are asymmetrically involved in mnemonic processing of verbal and nonverbal material respectively. Lesion and functional imaging (fMRI) studies provide robust evidence for a left MTL asymmetry in the verbal memory domain. Evidence for a right MTL/nonverbal asymmetry is not as robust. A handful of fMRI studies have investigated this issue but have generally utilised nonverbal stimuli which are amenable to semantic elaboration. This fMRI study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of recognition memory processing in 20 healthy young adults (mean age = 26 years) for verbal stimuli and nonverbal stimuli that were specifically designed to minimize verbalisation. Analyses revealed that the neural correlates of recognition memory processing for verbal and nonverbal stimuli were differentiable and asymmetrically recruited the left and right MTL respectively. The right perirhinal cortex and hippocampus were preferentially involved in successful recognition memory of items devoid of semantic information. In contrast, the left anterior hippocampus was preferentially involved in successful recognition memory of stimuli which contained semantic meaning. These results suggest that the left MTL is preferentially involved in mnemonic processing of verbal/semantic information. In contrast, the right MTL is preferentially involved in visual/non‐semantic mnemonic processing. We propose that during development, the left MTL becomes specialised for verbal mnemonic processing due to its proximity with left lateralised cortical language processing areas while visual/non‐semantic mnemonic processing gets ‘crowded out’ to become predominantly, but not completely, the domain of the right MTL. Hum Brain Mapp 37:933–941, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Agentic and communal narcissism and satisfaction with life: The mediating role of psychological entitlement and self‐esteem
Authors: Żemojtel‐Piotrowska Magdalena A. , Piotrowski Jarosław P. , Maltby John 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis study examined the mediational role of self‐esteem (as an enhancement) and psychological entitlement (as a cost) in the relationship between an agentic‐communal model of grandiose narcissism and satisfaction with life. Two hundred and forty‐eight university undergraduate students completed measures of agentic and communal narcissism, self‐esteem, psychological entitlement and satisfaction with life. The findings suggest that there is support for the usefulness of the agentic‐communal model of narcissism, and, consistent with predictions in the wider literature, self‐esteem and psychological entitlement mediated the relationship between agentic‐communal narcissism and life satisfaction.
Biliary tract cancer registry in Japan from 2008 to 2013
Authors: Ishihara Shin , Horiguchi Akihiko , Miyakawa Shuichi , Endo Itaru , Miyazaki Masaru , Takada Tadahiro 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe present study analyzed biliary tract cancer patients registered from 2008 to 2013 in Japan and evaluated the outcomes of biliary tract cancer.MethodsA total of 18,606 patients were registered from 2008 to 2013. Cases were analyzed with regard to patient survival according to contiguous extent of the primary tumor (T), node metastasis, and tumor stage using the 3rd English edition of the Japanese classification of the biliary tract cancers.ResultsFive‐year survival rates were 39.8% for gallbladder cancer, 24.2% for perihilar bile duct cancer, 39.1% for distal bile duct cancer, and 61.3% for ampullary region cancer. Significant differences were observed between newly introduced subdivisions in the new Japanese classification for all tumoral sites except gallbladder cancer. The survival rate in patients with #13a metastasis was significantly higher than in patients with distant lymph node metastasis.ConclusionsThe new Japanese classification adopted the 7th edition of staging system developed by the Union for International Cancer Control staging system. However, numerous aspects of these classification systems remain unvalidated. The present analysis demonstrated the significance of a proportion of T factor subdivisions and classifications of regional lymph nodes in cases of gallbladder cancer in the new Japanese classification.
The assessment of droughts in Northern China and Mongolian areas using PDSI and relevant large‐scale environments
Authors: Choi Jae‐Won , Kim In‐Gyum , Kim Jeoung‐Yun , Kim Baek‐Jo , Park Cheol‐Hong , Kim Do‐Woo 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThis study assessed drought conditions in northern China and Mongolian areas using the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI). Droughts in this area were intensified throughout all seasons. In particular, this intensifying trend was pronounced in the summer and autumn. In the summer, the PDSI showed an overall increase from the early 1990s to the late 1990s, and then, it rapidly decreased after the late 1990s. Therefore, this study focused on summer droughts and analysed mean differences before the late 1990s (9098) and after the late 1990s (9905). Regarding differences in 850 hPa stream flows between the two periods, anomalous anticyclonic circulations were strengthened in northern China and Mongolia that showed strong negative anomalies in the PDSI. These anomalous anticyclones were formed as a positive North Atlantic Oscillation pattern formed in the European region spread eastward in the form of wave trains. The anomalous anticyclones formed in northern China and Mongolia led to reduced total cloud cover. As a result, this region exhibited high sensible heat net fluxes. Consequently, warm and dry anticyclones may have recently been strengthened in this region, thereby intensifying droughts. As this shows, recently strengthened warm and dry anticyclones in northern China and Mongolia were associated with recently reduced snow depths in this region during the preceding spring. In recent years, the frequency of Asian dust has also increased due to warm and dry air conditions.
Tree‐ring recorded drought variability in the northern Min Mountains of northwestern China
Authors: Deng Yang , Gou Xiaohua , Gao Linlin , Zhang Fen , Xu Xiangyu , Yang Meixue 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTDrought is a recurrent natural disaster in northwestern China and it can have a substantial impact on the affected region; therefore, knowledge of drought variability is very important for drought adaptation and mitigation. However, the observed climate data are generally limited in length, which may hamper our understanding the full range of drought variability. Using tree‐ring width measurements of 155 series from 81 Pinus tabulaeformis trees at three sites in the northern Min Mountains of northwestern China, the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) for May–August from 1804 to 2011 were reconstructed, which account for 64.8% of the variance in the instrumental record over 1954–2011. The new reconstruction is generally consistent with other moisture reconstructions nearby. Two notable features of the SPEI reconstruction is the severe drought starting in the late 1990s and the gradual drying trend since 1954. These features are also apparent in areas located in the north boundaries of Eastern Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM), which indicates that the study area may be affected by the EASM.
Temporal and spatial features and inter‐annual variability of wintertime snow mass balance over China
Authors: Zhang Ruonan , Zhang Renhe , Zuo Zhiyan , Li Weijing 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTUsing observational data for 1979–2010, the temporal and spatial variations of wintertime (December–February) snow water equivalent (SWE) over China and their relations to the November SWE, wintertime snowfall, snow evaporation, sublimation and melting are investigated. The results revealed that the SWE is principally distributed in four snow regions of northwestern (NW) China, northeastern (NE) China, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the Yangtze–Huaihe River valley (YH). It is found that the impact of the November SWE is confined to the north of 42°N, while the impact of snowfall are relevant over all China, and the impacts of snow evaporation and sublimation are limited to NW, NE and the TP. The effect of snow melting is large in the YH but weak in other regions. On the inter‐annual timescale, the snow mass balance shows different features in different snow regions. The wintertime SWE is in line with snowfall. The November SWE has a major effect on the wintertime SWE in NW and NE but not in the TP and YH. The effect of meteorological factors on snow evaporation, sublimation and melting differs in different snow regions. Evaporation is mainly affected by vapour pressure deficit in NW and wind speeds in NE and the TP. Sublimation is controlled by air temperature in NW, wind speeds in NE, vapour pressure deficit in YH and air temperature, pressure and vapour pressure deficit in the TP. Melting is closely related with air temperature in the TP and net radiation in the YH.
Use of novel chitosan hydrogels for chemical tissue bonding of autologous chondral transplants
Authors: Gittens Jamila , Haleem Amgad M. , Grenier Stephanie , Smyth Niall A. , Hannon Charles P. , Ross Keir A. , Torzilli Peter A. , Kennedy John G. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical tissue bonding (CTB) on adhesion strength, fluid permeability, and cell viability across a cartilaginous graft‐host interface in an in vitro autologous chondral transplant (ACT) model. Chitosan‐based cross‐linkers; Chitosan‐Rose Bengal [Chi‐RB (Ch‐ABC)], Chitosan‐Genipin [Chi‐GP (Ch‐ABC)], and Chitosan‐Rose Bengal‐Genipin [Chi‐RB‐GP (Ch‐ABC)] were applied to bovine immature cartilage explants after pre‐treatment with surface degrading enzyme, Chondroitinase‐ABC (Ch‐ABC). Adhesion strength, fluid permeability and cell viability were assessed via mechanical push‐out shear testing, fluid transport and live/dead cell staining, respectively. All three chitosan‐based cross‐linkers significantly increased the adhesion strength at the graft‐host interface, however, only a statistically significant decrease in fluid permeability was noted in Chi‐GP (Ch‐ABC) specimen compared to untreated controls. Cell viability was maintained for 7 days of culture across all three treatment groups. These results show the potential clinical relevance of novel chitosan‐based hydrogels in enhancing tissue integration and reducing synovial fluid penetration after ACT procedures in diarthoidal joints such as the knee and ankle. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1139–1146, 2016.
Oxidation of Hypophosphite and Phosphite by Anderson‐Type Hexamolybdocobaltate(III) Anion
Authors: Barge Jyoti N. , Gokavi Gavisiddappa S. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThe oxidation of hypophosphite and phosphite by the Anderson‐type hexamolybdocobaltate(III), [H6CoIIIMo6O24]3−, anion was investigated at pH 2 and 1, respectively, in aqueous medium. The reaction is found to occur through an outer‐sphere mechanism with a prior weak complex formation between the reactants. Under the reaction conditions, the oxidant exists in the [H5CoIIIMo5O20]2−, [H6CoIIIMo6O24]3−, and [H4CoIII2Mo10O38]6−(dimer) forms, and [H5CoIIIMo5O20]2− is the active species. Inhibition of the reaction by the oxidant anion and added molybdate ion kinetically indicates existence of prior equilibria between various forms of the oxidant. Both hypophosphite and phosphite exists in their protonated forms. The reaction involves direct electron transfer from the phosphorus center to the anion‐generating free radicals in a rate‐determining step. The effect of ionic strength and change in the solvent polarity did not affect the rate of the reaction. A probable mechanism was proposed leading to a complicated rate law as a result of involvement of prior equilibria between various forms of the oxidant. The activation parameters were also determined and are in support of the proposed mechanism.
Congenital ossicular chain malformations with mobile stapes in children: Results in 17 cases
Authors: Vincent Robert , Wegner Inge , Derks Laura S. M. , Grolman Wilko 
Published: December 2015

Objectives/HypothesisTo prospectively evaluate surgical findings and hearing results in children undergoing surgery for congenital malformations of the ossicular chain with a mobile stapes footplate (Teunissen and Cremers class III malformations).Study DesignA nonrandomized, nonblinded, prospective case series.MethodsFifteen consecutive pediatric patients who underwent 17 surgical procedures for congenital ossicular malformations with a mobile stapes at a tertiary referral center were included. In 16 cases, postoperative pure‐tone audiometry was available. The surgical technique for repair of the ossicular chain was dictated by the surgical findings at the time of surgery. The majority of the cases underwent ossiculoplasty. A Teflon piston, partial ossicular replacement prosthesis, or total ossicular replacement prosthesis was used in these cases. Associated surgical techniques included malleus relocation, Silastic banding, drilling out of a bony bridge, and a combination of these techniques. Hearing loss was evaluated using preoperative and postoperative four‐frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) audiometry. Air‐conduction thresholds, bone‐conduction thresholds, and air‐bone gaps were measured. Postoperative audiometry was performed at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery and at a yearly interval thereafter.ResultsOverall, a postoperative air‐bone gap closure to 10 dB or less was achieved in 63% of the included cases. A postoperative air‐bone gap closure to 20 dB or less was achieved in 75%. Postoperative sensorineural hearing loss did not occur in any of the cases.ConclusionsOssicular reconstruction is a feasible treatment option in children with congenital malformations of the ossicular chain with a mobile stapes footplate.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:682–688, 2016