bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochemistry in an undergraduate writing‐intensive first‐year program: Seminar courses in drugs and bioethics
Authors: Mills Kenneth V. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe College of the Holy Cross offers a universal first‐year program called Montserrat, in which first‐year students participate in a living‐learning experience anchored by a yearlong seminar course. The seminar courses are part of a thematic cluster of four to eight courses; students in the cluster live together in a common dormitory and participate in shared co‐curricular events designed to engage the entire cluster in intellectual discourse related to the theme. A two‐semester seminar within the “Natural World” cluster was offered using biochemical principles as the underlying content. In the first semester, students were introduced to drug design, activity and abuse via student presentations and guided readings on ethnobotany, drug laws, drug use in religion, and prescription drug costs. In the second semester, students discussed primary readings in ethics followed by case study analyses of assisted reproduction technologies, informed consent, genetic privacy, performance enhancing drugs and genetically modified organisms. Student learning outcomes were evaluated via rubrics and a College‐facilitated survey. © 2015 by the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43(4):263–272, 2015.
Blockade of CD82 by a monoclonal antibody potentiates anti‐leukemia effects of AraC in vivo
Authors: Nishioka Chie , Ikezoe Takayuki , Yokoyama Akihito 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe recently found that CD82 inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 and augments adhesion of CD34+/CD38− acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells to the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The present study found that the use of an anti‐CD82 monoclonal antibody (CD82 mAb) mobilized CD34+ leukemia cells from BM into the peripheral blood in a humanized AML murine model. The use of CD82 mAb in combination with cytarabine (AraC) significantly prolonged survival of immunodeficient mice‐bearing human AML cells than did treatment with either AraC or CD82 mAb alone. Taken together, the combination of an anti‐leukemic agent and the mobilizing agent CD82 mAb may be a promising treatment strategy to treat patients with AML.
A Metallosalen‐based Porous Organic Polymer for Olefin Epoxidation
Authors: Liu Tao‐Tao , Lin Zu‐Jin , Shi Peng‐Chao , Ma Tao , Huang Yuan‐Biao , Cao Rong 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPorous organic polymers (POPs) are newly developed porous materials, which show a great promise in gas adsorption and separation, heterogeneous catalysis etc. This work reports a new salen‐(Mn)‐based porous organic polymer (Mn‐POP) serving as a solid catalyst for heterogeneous catalytic olefin epoxidation. Mn‐POP was synthesized by Sonogashira–Hagihara reaction when 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene and the privileged salen‐(Mn) as monomers. The effective coupling of these two monomers was confirmed by UV/Vis and infrared spectroscopy. Gas adsorption studies revealed that Mn‐POP has a BET surface area of 836 m2 g−1, and mesoporosity (up to 3.4 nm). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the material has uniformly spherical shapes. Further olefin epoxidation experiments proved that Mn‐POP is a good solid catalyst for olefin epoxidation with high activity (up to 99 % conversion) and excellent selectivity (up to 96 %) when O2 acts as oxidizer. Moreover, Mn‐POP catalyst is easily recoverable and can be reused for at least five times without loss of activity and selectivity.
Photodecarboxylations in an Advanced Meso‐Scale Continuous‐Flow Photoreactor
Authors: Josland Sam , Mumtaz Saira , Oelgemöller Michael 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSelected photodecarboxylations of phthalimides were realized under continuous‐flow conditions using an advanced meso‐scale photoreactor. The improved efficiency, yields, and productivities of these photochemical reactions highlight the benefits of using flow as opposed to conventional batch operation modes. Flow chemistry furthermore allows for an easy combination of multiple reaction steps in series. This is demonstrated by the successful synthesis of a pharmaceutical target molecule through a tandem photochemical‐thermal procedure carried out in uninterrupted flow.
Near infrared in vivo flow cytometry for tracking fluorescent circulating cells
Authors: Suo Yuanzhen , Liu Tao , Xie Chengying , Wei Dan , Tan Xu , Wu Liao , Wang Xiaoling , He Hao , Shi Guohua , Wei Xunbin , Shi Chunmeng 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe in vivo flow cytometry (IVFC) is now a powerful technique in biomedical research, especially for tracking specific cells in circulatory system. The current fluorescence‐based IVFC is limited to visible spectrum, while near infrared (NIR) dyes have their advantages, such as deeper penetration, less absorption and less scattering for NIR fluorescence. Here, using an NIR in vivo flow cytometer with a 785 nm laser excitation, the measurement of fluorescent dye IR‐780 labeled circulating cells is demonstrated. Representative peaks corresponding to NIR fluorescent circulating cells are detected and quantified. In addition, blood flow information, including the blood flow velocity and flow volume per unit time, is obtained. By simultaneous detection of IR‐780 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) signals from dual labeled cells, the IR‐780 is shown to be a suitable fluorescent dye for multicolor detection by IVFC, including NIR. Thus, the IVFC is extended to the NIR range and shows potential application in biomedical research. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The calcium‐sensing receptor and integrins modulate cerebellar granule cell precursor differentiation and migration
Authors: Tharmalingam Sujeenthar , Wu Chiping , Hampson David R. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTIn the developing cerebellum granule cell precursors (GCPs) proliferate in the external granule cell layer before differentiating and migrating to the inner granule cell layer. Aberrant GCP proliferation leads to medulloblastoma, the most prevalent form of childhood brain cancer. Here, we demonstrate that the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR), a homodimeric G‐protein coupled receptor, functions in conjunction with cell adhesion proteins, the integrins, to enhance GCP migration and cell homing by promoting GCP differentiation. During the second postnatal week a robust peak in CaSR expression was observed in GCPs; reciprocal immunoprecipitation experiments conducted during this period established that the CaSR and β1 integrins are present together in a macromolecular protein complex. Analysis of cell‐surface proteins demonstrated that activation of the CaSR by positive allosteric modulators promoted plasma membrane expression of β1 integrins via ERK2 and AKT phosphorylation and resulted in increased GCP migration toward an extracellular matrix protein. The results of in vivo experiments whereby CaSR modulators were injected i.c.v. revealed that CaSR activation promoted radial migration of GCPs by enhancing GCP differentiation, and conversely, a CaSR inhibitor disrupted GCP differentiation and promoted GCP proliferation. Our results demonstrate that an ion‐sensing G‐protein coupled receptor acts to promote neuronal differentiation and homing during cerebellar maturation. These findings together with those of others also suggest that CaSR/integrin complexes act to transduce extracellular calcium signals into cellular movement, and may function in this capacity as a universal cell migration/homing complex in the developing brain. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 375–389, 2016
A conserved role for calpains during myoblast fusion
Authors: Buffolo Marcio , Batista Possidonio Ana Claudia , Mermelstein Claudia , Araujo Helena 
Published: July 2015

SummaryMyoblast fusion is a key step during skeletal muscle differentiation as it enables the formation of contractile fibers. Calpains have been implicated in some aspects of myogenesis in mammals, but whether they exert a conserved function during myoblast fusion has not been investigated. Here, we studied Calpain function in two models of myogenesis: in vitro analysis of chick myogenic cultures and in vivo analysis of Drosophila melanogaster muscle development. First we showed that Calpain A is important for fly muscle function. In addition, Calpain A knockdown reduced lateral body wall muscle length and width, as well as the number of nuclei in dorsal oblique muscles, consistent with fewer cells fusing to form fibers. Treatment of chick cultures with a selective Calpain inhibitor led to the formation of thinner myotubes containing a reduced number of nuclei, consistent with decreased myoblast fusion. Dynamic changes in IκBα labeling and transfection with a dominant‐negative IκBα suggest a role for the NFκB pathway during chick myogenesis and a possible role of Calpains in attenuating NFκB signals that restrict myoblast fusion. Our data suggest that different model organisms may be used to study the role of Calpains in regular myogenesis and Calpain‐related muscular degenerative disorders. genesis 53:417–430, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seasonal effects on egg production and level of paternity in a natural population of a simultaneous hermaphrodite snail
Authors: Janssen Ruben , Baur Bruno 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn a seasonal environment, the suitable time window for females to reproduce is restricted by both environmental conditions and the availability of males. In simultaneous hermaphrodites, which are female and male at the same time, selection on a trait that is solely beneficial for one sexual function cannot occur independently. Therefore, it is assumed that the optimal time window for reproduction is a compromise between the two sexual functions in simultaneous hermaphrodites, mediated by environmental conditions. We examined seasonal patterns of reproduction and the resulting paternity in a natural population of the simultaneously hermaphroditic land snail Arianta arbustorum. Adult and premature individuals (snails in a short protandric phase) were collected on four occasions over the entire active season. The snails were allowed to deposit eggs after which we assessed the level of paternity in their hatched offspring. Individuals mated throughout the reproductive season, whereas egg production – the major task of the female function – was restricted to the first half of the season. Snails collected in autumn were allowed to hibernate under laboratory conditions. As a result, we found that premature individuals began to mate late in the reproductive season, but did not start to produce eggs before emerging from hibernation. Our results demonstrate a temporal shift of reproductive activities; the egg production and oviposition occur mainly in the first half of the season, while sperm production and mating occur over the entire season. In subadult and adult snails, sperm obtained from several partners in the second part of the reproductive season are stored during hibernation for the fertilization of eggs in the successive years. These results extend our understanding of the influence of both natural and sexual selection on reproductive strategies in hermaphrodites.
Interactive effects of elevated CO2 and precipitation change on leaf nitrogen of dominant Stipa L. species
Authors: Shi Yaohui , Zhou Guangsheng , Jiang Yanling , Wang Hui , Xu Zhenzhu , Song Jian 
Published: July 2015

AbstractNitrogen (N) serves as an important mineral element affecting plant productivity and nutritional quality. However, few studies have addressed the interactive effects of elevated CO2 and precipitation change on leaf N of dominant grassland genera such as Stipa L. This has restricted our understanding of the responses of grassland to climate change. We simulated the interactive effects of elevated CO2 concentration and varied precipitation on leaf N concentration (Nmass) of four Stipa species (Stipa baicalensis, Stipa bungeana, Stipa grandis, and Stipa breviflora; the most dominant species in arid and semiarid grassland) using open‐top chambers (OTCs). The relationship between the Nmass of these four Stipa species and precipitation well fits a logarithmic function. The sensitivity of these four species to precipitation change was ranked as follows: S. bungeana > S. breviflora > S. baicalensis > S. grandis. The Nmass of S. bungeana was the most sensitive to precipitation change, while S. grandis was the least sensitive among these Stipa species. Elevated CO2 exacerbated the effect of precipitation on Nmass. Nmass decreased under elevated CO2 due to growth dilution and a direct negative effect on N assimilation. Elevated CO2 reduced Nmass only in a certain precipitation range for S. baicalensis (163–343 mm), S. bungeana (164–355 mm), S. grandis (148–286 mm), and S. breviflora (130–316 mm); severe drought or excessive rainfall would be expected to result in a reduced impact of elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 affected the Nmass of S. grandis only in a narrow precipitation range. The effect of elevated CO2 reached a maximum when the amount of precipitation was 253, 260, 217, and 222 mm for S. baicalensis, S. bungeana, S. grandis, and S. breviflora, respectively. The Nmass of S. grandis was the least sensitive to elevated CO2. The Nmass of S. breviflora was more sensitive to elevated CO2 under a drought condition compared with the other Stipa species.
Ecophenotypic plasticity leads to extraordinary gastropod shells found on the “Roof of the World”
Authors: Clewing Catharina , Riedel Frank , Wilke Thomas , Albrecht Christian 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe often extraordinary shell forms and shapes of gastropods found in palaeolakes, such as the highly diverse Gyraulus fauna of the famous Steinheim Basin, have been puzzling evolutionary biologists for centuries, and there is an ongoing debate whether these aberrant shell forms are indicative of true species (or subspecies) or ecophenotypic morphs. Interestingly, one of the Steinheim Gyraulus morphs – a corkscrew‐like open‐coiled shell – has a recent analogue in the Lake Bangong drainage system on the western Tibetan Plateau. Therefore, a combination of morphological, molecular, palaeolimnological, and ecological analyses was used in this study to assess whether the extraordinary shell shape in Gyraulus sp. from this drainage system represents a (young) ecophenotypic phenomenon or if it has been genetically fixed over an extended period of time. Our morphological, ecological, and palaeolimnological data suggest that the corkscrew‐like specimens remain restricted to a small pond near Lake Bangong with an elevated pH value and that the colonization may have occurred recently. The phylogenetic reconstruction based on two gene fragments shows that these nonplanispiral specimens cluster within the previous described Tibetan Plateau Gyraulus clade N2. A network analysis indicates that some haplotypes are even shared by planispiral and nonplanispiral specimens. Given the ephemerality of the phenomenon, the compact network patterns inferred, the likely young phylogenetic age of the aberrant Gyraulus shells studied, and the ecological peculiarities of the study site, we suggest that the evolution of the aberrant shell forms on the Tibetan Plateau could likely be considered as a rapid ecophenotypic response, possibly induced by ecological stress. This finding may thus have implications for the ongoing debate about the processes that have caused the extraordinary shell diversity in palaeolakes such as the Steinheim Basin.
Clinical outcomes according to QRS duration and morphology in the Eplerenone in Mild Patients: Hospitalization and SurvIval Study in Heart Failure (EMPHASIS‐HF)
Authors: Cannon Jane A. , Collier Timothy J. , Shen Li , Swedberg Karl , Krum Henry , Van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Vincent John , Pocock Stuart J. , Pitt Bertram , Zannad Faiez , McMurray John J.V. 
Published: July 2015

AimsWe examined the relationship between different degrees of QRS prolongation and different QRS morphologies and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction (HF‐REF), and mild symptoms in the Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and SurvIval Study in Heart Failure trial (EMPHASIS‐HF). We also evaluated the effect of eplerenone in these patients according to QRS duration/morphology.Methods and resultsPatients were categorized as: QRS duration (ms) (i) <120 (n = 1375); (ii) 120–149 (n = 517); and (iii) ≥150 (n = 383), and QRS morphology (i) normal (n = 1252); (ii) left bundle branch block (BBB) (n = 608); and (iii) right BBB/intraventricular conduction defect (IVCD) (n = 415). The outcomes examined were the composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization and all‐cause mortality. Both abnormal QRS duration and QRS morphology were associated with higher risk, e.g. the rates of the composite outcome were: 10.2, 17.6, and 15.5 per 100 patient‐years in the <120, 120–149, and ≥150 ms groups, respectively. Eplerenone reduced the risk of the primary outcome and mortality, compared with placebo, consistently across the QRS duration/morphology subgroups.ConclusionWe found that even moderate prolongation of QRS duration and right BBB/IVCD were associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes in HF‐REF. Eplerenone was similarly effective, irrespective of QRS duration/morphology.
Orderly Nanopatterned Indium Tin Oxide Electrode Combined with Atomic‐Layer‐Deposited Metal Oxide Interlayer for Inverted Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Lin Zhenhua , Zhu Mei , Chang Jingjing , Jiang Changyun , Zhang Jie , Wu Jishan , Choi Wee Kiong , Zhu Chunxiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this work, well‐ordered periodic nanogroove structures are constructed on the surfaces of indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates through a simple and cost‐effective patterning method, laser interference lithography (LIL). By using the nanopatterned ITO electrodes coated conformally with metal oxide thin films as the electron‐selective interlayer (ESL) fabricated by low‐temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD), periodically nanostructured cathode–active‐layer interfaces are formed in the inverted organic solar cells (OSCs). Compared with a planar‐ITO cathode, a nanopatterned ITO cathode with 30 nm high nanogrooves leads to considerably improved short‐circuit current and power conversion efficiency for poly(3‐hexylthiophene)/[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) based cells. The improvement in the photocurrent is caused by enhanced light absorption and improved charge‐carrier generation in the devices with nanostructured cathode–active‐layer interfaces.
Acute and chronic toxicity of sodium sulfate to four freshwater organisms in water-only exposures
Authors: Wang Ning , Dorman Rebecca A. , Ingersoll Christopher G. , Hardesty Doug K. , Brumbaugh William G. , Hammer Edward J. , Bauer Candice R. , Mount David R. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

The acute and chronic toxicity of sulfate (tested as sodium sulfate) was determined in diluted well water (hardness of 100 mg/L and pH 8.2) with a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia; 2-d and 7-d exposures), a midge (Chironomus dilutus; 4-d and 41-d exposures), a unionid mussel (pink mucket, Lampsilis abrupta; 4-d and 28-d exposures), and a fish (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas; 4-d and 34-d exposures). Among the 4 species, the cladoceran and mussel were acutely more sensitive to sulfate than the midge and fathead minnow, whereas the fathead minnow was chronically more sensitive than the other 3 species. Acute-to-chronic ratios ranged from 2.34 to 5.68 for the 3 invertebrates but were as high as 12.69 for the fish. The fathead minnow was highly sensitive to sulfate during the transitional period from embryo development to hatching in the diluted well water, and thus, additional short-term (7- to 14-d) sulfate toxicity tests were conducted starting with embryonic fathead minnow in test waters with different ionic compositions at a water hardness of 100 mg/L. Increasing chloride in test water from 10 mg Cl/L to 25 mg Cl/L did not influence sulfate toxicity to the fish, whereas increasing potassium in test water from 1 mg K/L to 3 mg K/L substantially reduced the toxicity of sulfate. The results indicate that both acute and chronic sulfate toxicity data, and the influence of potassium on sulfate toxicity to fish embryos, need to be considered when environmental guidance values for sulfate are developed or refined. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:115–127. Published 2015 SETAC. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the United States.
Front‐tracking by the level‐set and the volume penalization methods in a two‐phase microfluidic network
Authors: Pinilla Johana , Bruneau Charles‐Henri , Tancogne Sandra 
Published: July 2015

SummaryTwo‐phase immiscible fluids in a two‐dimensional micro‐channels network are considered. The incompressible Stokes equations are used to describe the Newtonian fluid flow, while the Oldroyd‐B rheological model is used to capture the viscoelastic behavior. In order to perform numerical simulations in a complex geometry like a micro‐channels network, the volume penalization method is implemented. To follow the interface between the two fluids, the level‐set method is used, and the dynamics of the contact line is modeled by Cox law. Numerical results show the ability of the method to simulate two‐phase flows and to follow properly the contact line between the two immiscible fluids. Finally, simulations with realistic parameters are performed to show the difference when a Newtonian fluid is pushed by a viscoelastic fluid instead of a Newtonian one. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enablers for high‐order level set methods in fluid mechanics
Authors: Luddens Francky , Bergmann Michel , Weynans Lisl 
Published: July 2015

SummaryIn the context of numerical simulations of multiphysics flows, accurate tracking of an interface and consistent computation of its geometric properties are crucial. In this paper, we investigate a level set technique that satisfies these requirements and ensures local third‐order accuracy on the level set function (near the interface) and first‐order accuracy on the curvature, even for long‐time computations. The method is developed in a finite differences framework on Cartesian grids. As in usual level set strategies, reinitialization steps are involved. Several reinitialization algorithms are reviewed and mixed to design an accurate and fast reinitialization procedure. When coupled with a time evolution of the interface, the reinitialization procedure is performed only when there are too large deformations of the isocontours. This strategy limits the number of reinitialization steps and shows a good balance between accuracy and computational cost. Numerical results compare well with usual level set strategies and confirm the necessity of the reinitialization procedure, together with a limited number of reinitialization steps. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of water yam (Dioscoreaalata) flour fortified with distiller's spent grain on nutritional, chemical, and functional properties
Authors: Awoyale Wasiu , Maziya‐Dixon Busie , Sanni Lateef Oladimeji , Shittu Taofik Akinyemi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIt was envisaged that the inclusion of treated distiller's spent grain (DSG) to yam flour might increase its nutritional value, with the aim of reducing nutritional diseases in communities consuming yam as a staple. Hence, yam flour was fortified with DSG at 5–35%. The effects of this fortification on the nutritional, chemical, and functional properties of yam flour were investigated. The result showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.001) in fat, ash, protein, total amino acids, total dietary fiber, and insoluble dietary fiber contents of the blends as DSG increased except for starch and soluble dietary fiber contents, which decreased. The functional properties showed a significant (P ≤ 0.001) reduction with DSG inclusion. The inclusion of DSG increased both the tryptophan and methionine contents of the blends. Therefore, the DSG fortified yam flour could contribute to quality protein intake in populations consuming yam as a staple, due to its indispensible amino acid content.