bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A robust bioassay to assess the toxicity of metals to the Antarctic marine microalga Phaeocystis antarctica
Authors: Gissi Francesca , Adams Merrin S. , King Catherine K. , Jolley Dianne F. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Despite evidence of contamination in Antarctic coastal marine environments, no water-quality guidelines have been established for the region because of a paucity of biological effects data for local Antarctic species. Currently, there is limited information on the sensitivity of Antarctic microalgae to metal contamination, which is exacerbated by the lack of standard toxicity testing protocols for local marine species. In the present study, a routine and robust toxicity test protocol was developed using the Antarctic marine microalga Phaeocystis antarctica, and its sensitivity was investigated following 10-d exposures to dissolved copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, and nickel. In comparisons of 10% inhibition of population growth rate (IC10) values, P. antarctica was most sensitive to copper (3.3 μg/L), followed by cadmium (135 μg/L), lead (260 μg/L), and zinc (450 μg/L). Although an IC10 value for nickel could not be accurately estimated, the no-observed-effect concentration value for nickel was 1070 μg/L. Exposure to copper and cadmium caused changes in internal cell granularity and increased chlorophyll a fluorescence. Lead, zinc, and nickel had no effect on any of the cellular parameters measured. The present study provides valuable metal-ecotoxicity data for an Antarctic marine microalga, with P. antarctica representing one of the most sensitive microalgal species to dissolved copper ever reported when compared with temperate and tropical species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1578–1587. © 2015 SETAC
Sensitivity of shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) and pallid sturgeon (S. albus) early life stages to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin exposure
Authors: Buckler Justin , Candrl James S. , McKee Michael J. , Papoulias Diana M. , Tillitt Donald E. , Galat David L. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Concern exists that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be contributing to the current decline of shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) and the US federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). Waterborne exposures with newly fertilized eggs were used to assess developmental and morphological effects of 2 of the most potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), on early life stage shovelnose and pallid sturgeon. No dose-related effects of PCB-126 were observed on percent development or hatch in either species at concentrations as high as 1711 ng/g egg. Effects of TCDD on percent development were not assessed in shovelnose sturgeon. However, percent development was not affected by TCDD in pallid sturgeon, and percent hatch was unaffected by TCDD doses as high as 60 ng/g egg to 81 ng/g egg in either species. Morphological pathologies such as yolk sac edema and craniofacial deformities were typical of AhR agonist exposure and were similar in both species. Calculated PCB-126 50% lethal dose (LD50, 95% fiducial limits) values were 196 ng/g egg (188–203 ng/g) for shovelnose and 159 ng/g egg (122–199 ng/g) for pallid sturgeon. Likewise, calculated TCDD LD50 values were 13 ng/g egg (11–15 ng/g) for shovelnose and 12 ng/g egg (10–14 ng/g) for pallid sturgeon. These LD50 values are among the highest recorded in early life stage fish, suggesting that early life stage Scaphirhynchus sturgeon may be comparatively insensitive to AhR agonists. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1417–1424. © 2015 SETAC
Glycemic control, inflammation, and cognitive function in older patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Akrivos Jimmy , Ravona‐Springer Ramit , Schmeidler James , LeRoith Derek , Heymann Anthony , Preiss Rachel , Hoffman Hadas , Koifman Keren , Silverman Jeremy M. , Schnaider Beeri Michal 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveGlycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) have been associated with cognitive impairment independently. However, it is unclear if their combination exacerbates poor cognitive function. We assessed whether long‐term glycemic level and glycemic variability modulate the association of systemic inflammation with cognitive function, in a sample of cognitively normal older people with type 2 diabetes.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 777 randomly selected participants from ~11,000 patients in the Maccabi Healthcare Services Diabetes Registry, as part of the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline study. Subjects averaged 18 (±9.4) HbA1c measures in the Maccabi Healthcare Services Registry, which were used to calculate long‐term glycemic level (HbA1c‐mean) and glycemic variability (HbA1c‐standard deviation (SD)). Linear regression models assessed the interactions of CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation, with HbA1c‐mean and HbA1c‐SD on subjects' performance in tests of Memory, Executive Functions, Attention, and Semantic Categorization.ResultsQuadratic interactions of CRP with HbA1c‐SD approached significance for executive functions and overall cognition. However, after Bonferroni adjustment, none of the interactions of CRP with HbA1c were statistically significant. In partial correlations according to HbA1c‐SD tertiles, CRP was weakly correlated in the middle tertile with decreased performance in the domains of semantic categorization (r = −0.166, p = 0.011), executive functions (r = −0.136, p = 0.038), and overall cognition (r = −0.157, p = 0.016).ConclusionsGlycated hemoglobin does not substantially modulate the association of CRP with cognition in a sample of cognitively normal, community dwelling older people with relatively well‐managed type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional connectivity constrains the category‐related organization of human ventral occipitotemporal cortex
Authors: Stevens W. Dale , Tessler Michael Henry , Peng Cynthia S. , Martin Alex 
Published: February 2015

AbstractOne of the most robust and oft‐replicated findings in cognitive neuroscience is that several spatially distinct, functionally dissociable ventral occipitotemporal cortex (VOTC) regions respond preferentially to different categories of concrete entities. However, the determinants of this category‐related organization remain to be fully determined. One recent proposal is that privileged connectivity of these VOTC regions with other regions that store and/or process category‐relevant properties may be a major contributing factor. To test this hypothesis, we used a multicategory functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) localizer to individually define category‐related brain regions of interest (ROIs) in a large group of subjects (n = 33). We then used these ROIs in resting‐state functional connectivity MRI analyses to explore spontaneous functional connectivity among these regions. We demonstrate that during rest, distinct category‐preferential VOTC regions show differentially stronger functional connectivity with other regions that have congruent category‐preference, as defined by the functional localizer. Importantly, a “tool”‐preferential region in the left medial fusiform gyrus showed differentially stronger functional connectivity with other left lateralized cortical regions associated with perceiving and knowing about common tools—posterior middle temporal gyrus (involved in perception of nonbiological motion), lateral parietal cortex (critical for reaching, grasping, manipulating), and ventral premotor cortex (involved in storing/executing motor programs)—relative to other category‐related regions in VOTC of both the right and left hemisphere. Our findings support the claim that privileged connectivity with other cortical regions that store and/or process category‐relevant properties constrains the category‐related organization of VOTC. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2187–2206, 2015. © Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Fullerene‐like Re‐Doped MoS2 Nanoparticles as an Intercalation Host with Fast Kinetics for Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Woo Seung Hee , Yadgarov Lena , Rosentsveig Rita , Park Yuwon , Song Daesun , Tenne Reshef , Hong Sung You 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSodium ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as a promising alternative to threaten the reign of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) among various next‐generation rechargeable energy storage systems, including magnesium ion, metalair, and metalsulfur batteries. Since both sodium and lithium are located in Group 1 of the periodic table, they share similar (electro)chemical properties with regard to ionization pattern, electronegativity, and electronic configuration; thus the vast number of compounds developed from LIBs can provide guidance to design electrode materials for SIBs. However, the larger ionic radius of the sodium cation and unique (de)sodiation processes may also lead to uncertainties in terms of thermodynamic or kinetic properties. Herein, we present the first construction of SIBs based on inorganic fullerene‐like (IF) MoS2 nanoparticles. Closed‐shell‐type structures, represented by C60 fullerene, have largely been neglected for studies of alkali‐metal hosting materials due to their inaccessibility for intercalating ions into the inner spaces. However, IF‐MoS2, with faceted surfaces, can diffuse sodium ions through the defective channels, thereby allowing reversible sodium ion intercalation/deintercalation. Interestingly, Re‐doped MoS2 showed good electrochemical performances with fast kinetics (ca. 74 mA h g−1 at 20 C). N‐type doping caused by Re substitution of Mo in IF‐MoS2 revealed enhanced electrical conductivity and an increased number of diffusion defect sites. Thus, chemical modification of fullerene‐like structures through doping is proven to be a promising synthetic strategy to prepare improved electrodes.
First Synthesis of the α‐L‐Serine Linked Consensus Disaccharide of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Jana Santanu , Emmadi Madhu , Kulkarni Suvarn S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe first total synthesis of the α‐L‐serine linked consensus disaccharide of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis was carried out in six linear steps, with 20.6 % overall yield.
Chemical Synthesis of Homogeneous Glycoproteins for the Study of Glycoprotein Quality Control System
Authors: Izumi Masayuki , Dedola Simone , Ito Yukishige , Kajihara Yasuhiro 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe glycoprotein quality control system exists in the endoplasmic reticulum to maintain protein homeostasis and prevent accumulation of aberrant glycoproteins. Folding sensor enzyme uridine diphosphate (UDP)glucose : glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT) plays an important role in this system through its ability to discriminate immature or misfolded glycoproteins from native ones. UGGT transfers a glucose residue to a glycoprotein containing Man9GlcNAc2 (M9; Man=mannose, GlcNAc=N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine) N‐glycan only when the glycoprotein has not attained a native form. We chemically prepared homogeneous glycoproteins containing M9 N‐glycan in the native form as well as in misfolded forms and examined them as substrates of UGGT. Glucose transfer to misfolded glycoproteins was clearly observed by LC‐MS, but glycoproteins in the native form were barely glucosylated. Furthermore, we constructed an in vitro glycoprotein folding system in the presence of UGGT and found out that all folding intermediates which appeared during folding were also glucosylated. Through these experiments, we demonstrated the usefulness of chemically synthesized homogeneous glycoproteins as probes to gain insights into the molecular basis of the glycoprotein quality control system.
Minimization of errors in biexponential T2 measurements of the prostate
Authors: Gilani Nima , Rosenkrantz Andrew B. , Malcolm Paul , Johnson Glyn 
Published: February 2015

PurposeTo determine the echo times that provide the greatest precision in measurements of prostate T2s. T2 relaxation time measurements in the prostate are complicated by the structure of prostate tissue, which consists of fluid‐filled glands surrounded by epithelial and stromal cells. Since the glands are large relative to diffusion distances, there is little water exchange between the two compartments and T2s are biexponential. Because the relative size and characteristics of the two compartments change in prostate tumors, accurate measurement of the characteristics of each may provide useful information on tumor grade.Materials and MethodsT2s were measured in a group of 25 men with biopsy‐proven prostate cancer. Subjects were scanned at 3T with a 16‐echo turbo‐spin echo T2‐mapping sequence. Normal prostate T2s were measured in areas showing no disease. Optimum echo times for measurement of normal prostate T2s were found by calculating the covariance matrix, which provides estimates of parameter variance. Echo times that minimize T2 variance were then found by searching over grids of different echo times. Optima for four to eight echo acquisitions were found. Optima were tested by Monte Carlo simulation.ResultsFast and slow T2s were 60 msec and 360 msec, respectively. The fast signal fraction was 0.6. Optimum echo times were between 0 and 780 msec, depending on the number of echoes acquired.ConclusionUse of optimum echo times can substantially improve the precision of biexponential T2 measurements. This optimization is anticipated to improve prostate cancer characterization using T2 measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1072–1077.
Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI evaluates the early response of human head and neck tumor xenografts following anti‐EMMPRIN therapy with cisplatin or irradiation
Authors: Kim Hyunki , Hartman Yolanda E. , Zhai Guihua , Chung Thomas K. , Korb Melissa L. , Beasley Timothy M. , Zhou Tong , Rosenthal Eben L. 
Published: February 2015

PurposeTo assess the early therapeutic effects of anti‐EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer) antibody with/without cisplatin or X‐ray radiation in head and neck cancer mouse models using dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI).Materials and MethodsMice bearing SCC1 (or OSC19) tumor xenografts were treated with anti‐EMMPRIN antibody, radiation, cisplatin, or anti‐EMMPRIN antibody plus cisplatin (or radiation) for a week (n = 4–5 per group). DCE‐MRI was carried out on a 9.4T small animal MR scanner on days 0, 3, and 7, and Ktrans values were averaged in a 0.5‐mm‐thick peripheral tumor region. Ki67 and CD31 staining were implemented for all tumors after imaging.ResultsThe Ktrans changes of SCC1 and OSC19 tumors treated with anti‐EMMPRIN antibody for 3 days were −18 ± 8% and 4 ± 7%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of control groups (39 ± 5% and 45 ± 7%; P = 0.0025 and 0.0220, respectively). When cisplatin was added, those were −42 ± 9% and −44 ± 9%, respectively, and with radiation, −45 ± 9% and −27 ± 10%, respectively, which were also significantly lower than those of control groups (P < 0.0001 for all four comparisons). In the eight groups untreated (served as control) or treated with anti‐EMMPRIN antibody with/without cisplatin or radiation, the mean Ktrans change for 3 days was significantly correlated with the mean tumor volume change for 7 days (r = 0.74, P = 0.0346), Ki67‐expressing cell density (r = 0.96, P = 0.0001), and CD31 density (r = 0.84, P = 0.0084).ConclusionDCE‐MRI might be utilized to assess the early therapeutic effects of anti‐EMMPRIN antibody with/without chemotherapy or radiotherapy in head and neck cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:936–945.
Potential use of rare earth oxides as tracers of organic matter in grassland
Authors: Senbayram Mehmet , Bol Roland , Dixon Liz , Fisher Andrew , Stevens Carly , Quinton John , Fangueiro David 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTracing organic matter (OM) in soil is challenging, because runoff and leaching processes are interrelated and have multiple sources. Therefore, multiple tracers with low background concentrations such as rare earth element oxides (REOs) are necessary to delineate the origin of sources of the organic materials in groundwater, rivers or in catchments. The main objective of this study was to examine the potential use of REOs as a tracer in various forms of OM (1) whole slurry, (2) solid, and (3) liquid phase of cattle slurry after mechanical separation. A laboratory experiment was carried out using five REOs (La, Gd, Sm, Pr, and Nd oxides) mixed directly into soil or mixed with various fractions of cattle slurry and then applied to the soil surface. In the additional grassland experiment, Gd oxide was spiked with soil and cattle slurry and then applied to the soil surface. The mineral N in the liquid phase (urine) of the slurry in the grassland experiment was labelled with 15N urea (16 atom%). In the laboratory experiment, results showed that the five REOs concentration of soil in 0–1 cm soil section after the rainfall simulation was still up to 20 times more than the background values. In 1–2 cm soil section, the concentration of only Gd (two fold higher) and La oxides (50% higher) were significantly higher than the soil background values. Therefore, we hypothesized that Gd and La oxides were associated also with relatively finer organic particles in slurry, thus 1–2 cm soil section were enriched with these oxides. The five REOs concentration below 2 cm soil depth were similar to the background values in all treatments. In line with the laboratory experiment, Gd concentrations in the deeper soil layers (2–4 and 4–8 cm) in the grassland experiment were not significantly affected by any treatment. Both in grassland and laboratory experiment, solid phase of the slurry (dung) was collected from the soil surface after rainfall simulation. Here, about 56% of REOs were measured on the solid phase of the slurry which indicates the strong binding potential of REOs on slurry OM. The present novel study, where REO tagged slurry was uniquely tested to study geochemical cycle of organic fertilizers, clearly highlighted the potential for their use as multiple‐tracers of (animal derived‐) OM in agricultural soils.
Incorporation of liposomes containing squid tunic ACE‐inhibitory peptides into fish gelatin
Authors: Mosquera Mauricio , Giménez Begoña , Montero Pilar , Gómez‐Guillén Maria Carmen 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDHydrolysates from collagen of jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) tunics have shown excellent angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐inhibitory activity. However, peptides directly included in food systems may suffer a decrease in activity, which could be minimized by loading them into nanoliposomes.RESULTSA fraction of peptides with molecular weights <1 kDa obtained from hydrolyzed squid tunics, with reasonably high ACE‐inhibitory activity (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration IC50 = 0.096 g L−1), was encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine nanoliposomes. The peptide concentration affected the encapsulation efficiency and the stability of the resulting liposomes, which remained with a high zeta potential value (−54.3 mV) for at least 1 week at the most suitable peptide concentration. The optimal peptide concentration was established as 1.75 g L−1. Liposomes obtained with this peptide concentration showed an encapsulation efficiency of 53%, a zeta potential of −59 mV, an average diameter of 70.3 nm and proved to be stable in the pH range 3–7 at 4 °C.CONCLUSIONLiposomes containing ACE‐inhibitory peptides were incorporated in fish gelatin without detriment to the rheological properties and thermal stability of the resulting cold‐induced gel. The ACE‐inhibitory activity of the peptide fraction, which was not affected by the encapsulation process, conferred the bioactive potential to the nanoliposome‐containing gelatin gel. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Epidemiology of otologic diagnoses inUnitedStates emergency departments
Authors: Kozin Elliott D. , Sethi Rosh K.V. , Remenschneider Aaron K. , Kaplan Alyson B. , del Portal Daniel A. , Gray Stacey T. , Shrime Mark G. , Lee Daniel J. 
Published: February 2015

Objectives/HypothesisOtologic complaints may place a significant burden on emergency departments (EDs) in the United States; however, few studies have comprehensively examined this discrete patient population. We aimed to identify utilization of EDs by patients with primary otologic complaints.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2009 through 2011.MethodsThe NEDS database was queried for patient encounters with a primary otologic diagnosis based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes (380–389). Weighted estimates for demographics, diagnostic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and trends over time were extracted. Predictors of mortality and admission were determined by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA weighted total of 8,611,282 visits between 2009 and 2011 were attributed to otologic diagnoses, representing 2.21% of all ED visits. Stratified by patient age, otologic diagnoses encompassed 1.01% and 6.79% of all adult and pediatric ED visits, respectively. The majority of patients were treated and released (98.17%). The average age of patients presenting with an otologic complaint was 17.9 years (standard error = 0.23). Overall, 62.7% of patients who presented with an otologic complaint were 0 to 17 years old. The most common diagnoses among all age groups included otitis media not otherwise specified (NOS) (60.6%), infected otitis externa NOS (11.8%), and otalgia NOS (6.8%).ConclusionsWe provide a comprehensive overview of otologic complaints that are an overlooked diagnostic category in public health research. NEDS data demonstrate a significant number of visits related to otologic complaints, especially in the pediatric population, that are nonemergent.Level of Evidence4Laryngoscope, 125:1926–1933, 2015
Synthesis of Block Copolymers Based on Polyethylene by Thermally Induced Controlled Radical Polymerization Using Mn2(CO)10
Authors: Ciftci Mustafa , Norsic Sébastien , Boisson Christophe , D'Agosto Franck , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: February 2015

Iodo functionalized polyethylene (PE‐I), prepared by the addition of iodine after catalyzed poly­ethylene chain growth on magnesium, is demonstrated to be an efficient macroinitiator for thermally induced, controlled free radical polymerization using dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn2(CO)10). The free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate is initiated by thermal homolysis of (Mn2(CO)10) at 80 °C, forming reactive manganese pentacarbonyl radical species [•Mn(CO)5] capable of activating the C−I bond of PE‐I. The metal catalyzed radical generation and degenerative iodine processes yielded polyethylene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PE‐b‐PMMA) block copolymers with relatively low dispersities. The end group functionality of the block copolymer is confirmed by the successful thermal polymerization of styrene by using PE‐b‐PMMA as a macro­initiator in the described process. This work conclusively provides a new approach for combining polyethylene with vinyl polymers via manganese chemistry in a simple and efficient pathway of importance in synthetic polymer chemistry and other related applications.
image