bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducible Amino Acid Based Cationic Lipids as Highly Efficient and Serum‐Tolerant Gene Vectors
Authors: Zheng Li‐Ting , Yi Wen‐Jing , Su Rong‐Chuan , Liu Qiang , Zhao Zhi‐Gang 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn this study, two cationic lipids, each containing an α‐tocopherol moiety and a biocompatible amino acid headgroup (histidine or lysine) linked through a biodegradable disulfide and carbamate bond, were prepared and evaluated in cell culture as nonviral gene delivery vectors. The physicochemical properties of these lipids, including size, zeta potential and cellular uptake of the lipoplexes formed with DNA, as well as the transfection efficacy (TE), were investigated. The results show that the chemical structure of the cationic headgroup affects the physicochemical parameters of these amino acid based lipids and especially the TE. In addition to their low cytotoxicity, these lipoplexes also showed comparable TE with the commercially available Lipofectamine 2000. The TE of the cationic lipid based on histidine was especially high, and was 4.3 times higher than that of a branched polyethylenimine in the presence of 10 % serum. These results demonstrate the promise of amino acid based lipids for safe and efficient gene delivery.
Acid‐Assisted Ball Milling of Cellulose as an Efficient Pretreatment Process for the Production of Butyl Glycosides
Authors: Boissou Florent , Sayoud Nassim , De Oliveira Vigier Karine , Barakat Abdellatif , Marinkovic Sinisa , Estrine Boris , Jérôme François 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBall milling of cellulose in the presence of a catalytic amount of H2SO4 was found to be a promising pre‐treatment process to produce butyl glycosides in high yields. Conversely to the case of water, n‐butanol has only a slight effect on the recrystallization of ball‐milled cellulose. As a result, thorough depolymerization of cellulose prior the glycosylation step is no longer required, which is a pivotal aspect with respect to energy consumption. This process was successfully transposed to wheat straw from which butyl glycosides and xylosides were produced in good yields. Butyl glycosides and xylosides are important chemicals as they can be used as hydrotropes but also as intermediates in the production of valuable amphiphilic alkyl glycosides.
Connecting Direct C−H Arylation Reactions with Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: A Shortcut to D–A–π–A Organic Dyes
Authors: Lin Po‐Han , Lu Te‐Jui , Cai Deng‐Jhou , Lee Kun‐Mu , Liu Ching‐Yuan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA step‐economical synthetic strategy is developed to target thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD)‐based D–A–π–A organic dyes for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Through sequential Pd‐catalyzed direct C−H (hetero)arylation reaction, synthesis of the push–pull‐type small molecules is reduced from the traditional six steps to two steps. In this report, we focus on the optimization of the key C−H monoarylation of TPD by screening ligands, acid additives, bases, and solvents. The reaction proves versatile toward new D–A–π–A organic dyes with a variety of different donor groups, and several derivatives are efficiently prepared under optimum reaction conditions. The sensitive aldehyde functionality that is a required intermediate for conversion into anchoring groups for TiO2 is well tolerated. Based on our synthetic study, DSSCs are fabricated and characterized using two designed sensitizers. The photovoltaic characterization of the devices affords an open‐circuit voltage of 0.60–0.69 V, a short‐circuit current density of 10.85–11.07 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 69.9–70.8 %, which corresponds to an overall power conversion efficiency of 4.61–5.33 %.
Liver dysfunction in patients with severe anorexia nervosa
Authors: Rosen Elissa , Sabel Allison L. , Brinton John T. , Catanach Brittany , Gaudiani Jennifer L. , Mehler Philip S. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveEvaluation of liver dysfunction in patients with severe anorexia nervosa (AN) has typically been limited to small case series. We report an investigation into the admission characteristics and clinical outcomes associated with liver dysfunction in a large cohort of adults hospitalized for medical stabilization of severe AN.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated electronic medical records to quantify the cumulative incidence of elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). We compared mean (±SD), frequencies (%), and median (IQR) values of clinical covariates of interest by incidence of liver enzyme elevation. The study included 181 adults, admitted for medical stabilization of AN, from October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013.ResultsAST and ALT were mildly elevated in 27.6% of patients and severely elevated (more than three times the upper limit of normal) in 35.4% of patients. On admission, patients with severely elevated liver enzymes had a lower body mass index (BMI) (11.9 ± 1.8 kg/m2 vs.13.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2), lower percentage ideal body weight (56.5% ± 7.7% vs. 63.5% ± 8.3%), and lower prealbumin (64% vs. 37%) compared with the rest of the cohort (p < 0.001). While hospitalized, patients with severely elevated liver enzymes more often developed hypoglycemia, hypophosphatemia, and experienced longer lengths of stay (p < 0.001).DiscussionElevated liver enzymes are common in our patient population with severe AN. Liver enzymes reached near normal values by the time of discharge. Severely elevated liver enzymes were associated with a lower BMI and the development of hypoglycemia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:151–158).
Evacuation Guidance and Agent Behavior in Evacuation Simulations
Authors: OKAYA MASARU , TAKAHASHI TOMOICHI 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARYEvacuation guidance and announcements are important for occupants to exit buildings during an emergency. However, it has been reported that such guidance and announcements have not been used effectively in real cases. The National Institute of Standards and Technology published reports on the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001. The reports include data on evacuation behaviors of occupants and how they obtained information during their egress. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese government conducted an investigation into how people behaved during that disaster. The evacuation behaviors of people are similar in both cases. The behaviors are categorized into three groups: instant evacuation, evacuation after tasks are completed, and emergent evacuation. We present a system in which evacuation guidance is implemented as a form of agent communication and show how the content of guidance alters the escape time.
Gut commensal microbes do not represent a dominant antigenic source for continuous CD4+ T‐cell activation during HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Zimmermann Kathrin , Bastidas Sonia , Knecht Leandra , Kuster Herbert , Vavricka Stephan R. , Günthard Huldrych F. , Oxenius Annette 
Published: September 2015

Chronic immune activation is a hallmark of HIV‐1 infection; specifically, the activation of T cells has predictive value for progression to AIDS. The majority of hyperactivated T cells are not HIV‐specific and their antigenic specificities remain poorly understood. Translocation of gut luminal microbial products to systemic sites contributes to chronic immune activation during HIV‐1 infection, but how it affects (TCR‐dependent) immune activation remains elusive. We hypothesized that gut luminal antigens foster activation of CD4+ T cells with specificities for commensal bacterial antigens, thereby contributing to the pool of activated CD4+ T cells in the circulation of HIV‐1 infected individuals. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the frequencies of gut microbe‐specific CD4+ T cells by cytokine production upon restimulation with selected gut commensal microbial antigens. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not observe increased but rather decreased frequencies of gut microbe‐specific CD4+ T cells in HIV‐1 infected individuals compared to healthy controls. We conclude that the increased activation status of circulating CD4+ T cells in HIV‐1 infected individuals is not driven by CD4+ T cells with specificities for commensal bacterial antigens.
Solvent‐modified MEKC for the enantioseparation of palonosetron hydrochloride and related enantiomeric impurities
Authors: Hu Shao‐Qiang , Shi Hai‐Jun , Yu Hui , Dong Jie , Guo Xu‐Ming 
Published: September 2015

The effect of ten water‐soluble organic solvents on MEKC separation of palonosetron hydrochloride (PALO) stereoisomers using sodium cholate (SC) as chiral selector has been studied. The first chiral CE method fit for the analysis of unwanted PALO distomers (enantiomeric impurities) of low concentrations in the presence of high concentration of the main eutomer has been developed, based on solvent‐modified MEKC mode. It was found that methanol provides the best separation among the solvents tested. And an SC concentration of 30 mM is proper to provide good resolutions in shorter time and adequate sample capacity, instead of 70 mM as previously reported. The developed method can be used to analyze unwanted PALO distomers of a few micrograms per milliliter in the presence of the main eutomer with a concentration as high as 1.0 mg/mL.
Prioritizing human pharmaceuticals for ecological risks in the freshwater environment of Korea
Authors: Ji Kyunghee , Han Eun Jeong , Back Sunhyoung , Park Jeongim , Ryu Jisung , Choi Kyungho 
Published: September 2015

Abstract

Pharmaceutical residues are potential threats to aquatic ecosystems. Because more than 3000 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are in use, identifying high-priority pharmaceuticals is important for developing appropriate management options. Priority pharmaceuticals may vary by geographical region, because their occurrence levels can be influenced by demographic, societal, and regional characteristics. In the present study, the authors prioritized human pharmaceuticals of potential ecological risk in the Korean water environment, based on amount of use, biological activity, and regional hydrologic characteristics. For this purpose, the authors estimated the amounts of annual production of 695 human APIs in Korea. Then derived predicted environmental concentrations, using 2 approaches, to develop an initial candidate list of target pharmaceuticals. Major antineoplastic drugs and hormones were added in the initial candidate list regardless of their production amount because of their high biological activity potential. The predicted no effect concentrations were derived for those pharmaceuticals based on ecotoxicity information available in the literature or by model prediction. Priority lists of human pharmaceuticals were developed based on ecological risks and availability of relevant information. Those priority APIs identified include acetaminophen, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, metformin, and norethisterone. Many of these pharmaceuticals have been neither adequately monitored nor assessed for risks in Korea. Further efforts are needed to improve these lists and to develop management decisions for these compounds in Korean water. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1028–1036. © 2015 SETAC
Statistical performance of CO2 leakage detection using seismic travel time measurements
Authors: Wang Zan , Small Mitchell J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMonitoring for possible CO2 leakage is an important part of a safe and effective geological sequestration program. Seismic monitoring has been implemented in several pilot sequestration sites for site characterization and CO2 leakage detection. This study evaluates the detection power of seismic wave travel time measurements and statistical tests at different CO2 leakage rate levels. A simplified rock physics model is assumed for monitoring zones at sequestration sites and the effects of leakage‐induced changes in pressure and CO2 saturation on P‐wave travel times are modeled. The empirical distributions of detection power using the P‐wave travel time for four regions in the permeability‐porosity input space at four leakage levels are obtained from the Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis with a stochastic response surface method. The detection power using the P‐wave travel time measurements and test alone is generally not high enough, unless the porosity and the permeability of the monitoring zone are high, and/or a long period of time has elapsed since the leakage occurred. For monitoring layers with lower permeability and porosity, measurements from other monitoring techniques will likely be needed to increase the probability that leakage events are detected and addressed in a timely manner. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Application of infrared‐based molecular imaging to a mouse model with head and neck cancer
Authors: Tanaka Nobuaki , Lajud Shayanne A. , Ramsey Andrew , Szymanowski Adam R. , Ruffner Randall , O'Malley Bert W. , Li Daqing 
Published: September 2015

AbstactBackgroundThis study investigated whether near infrared (NIR) or visible fluorescent molecular imaging produced a better representation of a mouse model with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Additionally, the study explored whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐targeted probes could play an important role in the diagnosis of HNSCC.MethodsAn orthotopic mouse model of HNSCC labeled with the NIR fluorophore, infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP), was developed and monitored noninvasively in real time. The tumors were further evaluated using tumor‐specific EGFR‐targeted probes conjugated with an NIR dye (IRDye800), or a visible fluorescent protein.ResultsThe iRFP cell line produced better results than cells emitting visible light when studying local, distant, and deep tumors in the mouse model. The EGFR‐targeted probe conjugated with IRDye800 accurately detected tumor perimeters.ConclusionThis model has great potential as a unique tool in the study of HNSCC tumor development. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1351–E1357, 2016
Response of Maize Growth and Yield to Different Water and Nitrogen Schemes on Very Coarse Sandy Loam Soil Under Sprinkler Irrigation in the Semi‐Arid Region of China
Authors: Wen Jiangli , Li Jiusheng , Li Yanfeng 
Published: September 2015

AbstractFarmers are being encouraged to shift from conventional surface irrigation to sprinkler irrigation in the semi‐arid region where coarse‐textured soil is predominant in order to improve irrigation efficiency, but their irrigation and fertilization are currently scheduled by the traditional methods obtained from surface irrigation due to insufficient knowledge of the relatively new technology of sprinkler irrigation. This often results in an inefficient use of water and nutrients and a decreased crop yield. The objective of this paper was to quantify the response of maize growth, nitrogen uptake, yield, yield components, water productivity and nitrogen agronomic efficiency to different irrigation and nitrogen application rates under semi‐arid conditions and to determine an optimal irrigation and nitrogen regime for sprinkler irrigation. Field experiments were conducted on a very coarse sandy soil irrigated by a lateral move sprinkler system in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2012 and 2013. Three irrigation levels of 40, 70 and 100% of evapotranspiration (ETc) and four nitrogen application rates of 80, 160, 240 and 320 kg ha‐1 were tested in 2012. Whereas in 2013, four irrigation levels of 40, 70, 100 and 130% of ETc and four nitrogen application rates similar to the 2012 experiments were used. For the very coarse soil tested, the irrigation level demonstrated a substantially more important influence on plant growth than nitrogen application rate. A higher irrigation level produced a significantly greater plant height, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter above ground, plant nitrogen uptake, yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiencies (NAE) when irrigation level was between 40 and 100% ETc. However, when the irrigation level exceeded 100% ETc, a reduced yield and NAE was observed. In 2012, the nitrogen application rate of 160 kg ha‐1 usually gave a slightly higher yield and irrigation water productivity (IWP). Whereas in 2013, the nitrogen application rate of 240 kg ha‐1 resulted in the greatest yield and IWP. No significant difference in yield, IWP and NAE was observed between the treatments with nitrogen application rates of 160 and 240 kg ha‐1 for both 2012 and 2013 experiments. A management practice of irrigation at 100% ETc, along with nitrogen application rate of 160 kg ha‐1, was therefore recommended. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palliative electro‐chemotherapy in elderly patients with vulvar cancer: A phase II trial
Authors: Perrone Anna M. , Cima Simona , Pozzati Federica , Frakulli Rezarta , Cammelli Silvia , Tesei Marco , Gasparre Giuseppe , Galuppi Andrea , Morganti Alessio G. , De Iaco Pierandrea 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveThe primary endpoint of this trial was to assess clinical response (cCR) of squamocellular vulvar cancer (V‐SCC) in elderly patients treated with electro‐chemotherapy (ECT). Secondary endpoints were symptoms relief and local tumor control.MethodsA phase II study was designed and elderly patients with V‐SCC unfit for other treatments were treated. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST criteria) were applied to evaluate tumor response. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and four items of vulvar cancer subscale (VCS), of functional assessment of vulvar cancer therapy (FACT‐V) [16], before, one month after the procedure and during follow‐up.ResultsMedian age was 85 years (range 66–96 years). One month after treatment complete response was observed in 13 patients (52%), partial response in 7 (28%), stable disease in 3 (12%), and progressive disease in 2 (8%). Local tumor control at 1 and 6 months was 91% and 53%, respectively. Symptom free survival at 1 and 6 months was 78% and 40%, respectively, with significant reduction of pain (P < 0.01). One‐year overall survival was 34%.ConclusionsOur study showed that ECT produces high response rate with significant reduction of pain and improvement of local symptoms. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:529–532. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A model to predict upstaging to invasive carcinoma in patients preoperatively diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast
Authors: Kondo Takafumi , Hayashi Naoki , Ohde Sachiko , Suzuki Koyu , Yoshida Atsushi , Yagata Hiroshi , Niikura Naoki , Iwamoto Takayuki , Kida Kumiko , Murai Michiko , Takahashi Yuko , Tsunoda Hiroko , Nakamura Seigo , Yamauchi Hideko 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to determine clinicopathological factors associated with postoperative upstaging to invasive carcinoma in patients preoperatively diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and to develop a model to predict the risk of upstaging.MethodsPre‐ and post‐operative pathological diagnoses and radiological findings were assessed for 1,187 consecutive patients.ResultsOf the patients, 306 (25.8%) were upstaged on the surgical specimen. In multivariate analysis, the following four factors were significantly associated with upstaging: 1) the presence of sclerosing adenosis on the preoperative biopsy specimen (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, P = 0.013); 2) pleomorphic calcifications on the mammogram (OR 1.68, P = 0.009); 3) a mass suspicious for invasive carcinoma on ultrasonography and/or MRI (OR 2.13, P < 0.001); 4) tumor size ≥2 cm on ultrasonography (OR 1.80, P = 0.032). HER2‐positive (OR 1.54, P = 0.062) and comedo necrosis (OR 1.42, P = 0.056) demonstrated a trend towards significance. A prediction model incorporating these variables demonstrated that the risk of upstaging was 5.1% with score 0–2 and was 58.1% with score 10.ConclusionsThe prediction model incorporating clinicopathological features may be used to guide the selection of patients with DCIS for sentinel lymph node biopsy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:476–480. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment strategies for primary early‐stage sinonasal adenocarcinoma: A retrospective bi‐institutional case‐control study
Authors: Turri‐Zanoni Mario , Battaglia Paolo , Lambertoni Alessia , Giovannardi Marta , Schreiber Alberto , Volpi Luca , Bolzoni‐Villaret Andrea , Lombardi Davide , Bignami Maurizio , Magnoli Francesca , Facco Carla , Antognoni Paolo , Nicolai Piero , Castelnuovo Paolo 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate different treatment strategies for primary early‐stage (pT1‐T2) sinonasal adenocarcinomas.MethodsRetrospective case‐control study. From 2000 to 2011, 61 cases were radically resected using an endoscopic endonasal approach. Surgery as a single treatment modality was adopted for 33 patients (study group) while it was followed by postoperative radiotherapy (poRT) in 28 patients (control group).ResultsMedian follow‐up was 61 and 67 months for the study and control group respectively. Patients were stratified according to the pT classification and no statistically significant differences were found in terms of Overall (OS) and Recurrence‐free (RFS) survival. When analyzing the high‐grade tumors (47 cases), statistically significant differences were observed between the control and study groups both in terms of OS (90.5% ± 6.5% versus 57.6% ± 15.4%, P = 0.03) and RFS (92.3% ± 7.39% versus 80.2% ± 8.88%, P = 0.05). Using multivariate analysis, OS was independently determined by poRT (Hazard Ratio = 0.16; P = 0.03) thus confirming its protective role for high‐grade adenocarcinomas.ConclusionOur preliminary results suggest that endoscopic endonasal surgery could be used as a single treatment modality for primary early‐stage low‐grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma, resected with negative margins. Surgery followed by poRT offers the best treatment strategy not only for advanced‐stage lesions but also for high‐grade adenocarcinomas, regardless of the stage of disease at presentation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:561–567. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weather affects diet composition of rusty blackbirds wintering in suburban landscapes
Authors: Newell Wohner Patti J. , Cooper Robert J. , Greenberg Russell S. , Schweitzer Sara H. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThe rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a species of conservation concern throughout its range and the cause of the species' population decline is unknown. We studied diet composition of rusty blackbirds with stable isotope mixing models in suburban landscapes in the southeastern United States. We captured blackbirds in Georgia and South Carolina from 2009 to 2012, and estimated proportions of earthworm, other animals, pecan, and acorn incorporated into individual diets. On the Piedmont Plateau, terrestrial and aquatic earthworms constituted the largest proportion incorporated into the diet (39% ± 2.9; mean ± SD by site and year) and animals other than earthworms (mostly larval invertebrates Odonata and Diptera) constituted 27% ± 12.9. In contrast, on the Coastal Plain, which featured milder winters than the Piedmont, earthworms constituted a lower proportion (19% ± 1.2) of incorporated food items and animals other than earthworms comprised 62% ± 3.3% of the diet. Increased incorporation of earthworms in the diet was related to increased upcoming precipitation and daily maximum temperature. Rusty blackbirds incorporated more tree mast into their diet on the Piedmont Plateau than the Coastal Plain. Increased incorporation of tree mast was related to advancing cold temperature. Mast, including crushed pecans (Carya illinoenensis) and pre‐opened small‐seeded red oak (Quercus spp.) acorns, is a high‐lipid dietary component of blackbirds wintering in colder climates, and is incorporated prior to extreme cold weather. Therefore, planting mast trees, especially lipid‐rich pecan, could be used to augment resources in known rusty blackbird wintering hotspots. Maintaining shallowly flooded wetlands with a fluctuating water regime and residential lawns with abundant red oak (Quercus spp.) leaf litter would promote acorn and invertebrate resources including earthworms. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.