bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solution‐Based Synthesis of Layered Intergrowth Compounds of the Homologous PbmBi2nTe3n+m Series as Nanosheets
Authors: Chatterjee Arindom , Biswas Kanishka 
Published: March 2015

AbstractLayered intergrowth compounds in the homologous PbmBi2nTe3n+m family are interesting because they are examples of natural heterostructures. We present a simple solution‐based synthesis of two‐dimensional nanosheets of PbBi2Te4, Pb2Bi2Te5, and PbBi6Te10 layered intergrowth compounds, which are members of the PbmBi2nTe3n+m [that is, (PbTe)m(Bi2Te3)n] homologous series. Few‐layer nanosheets exhibit narrow optical band gaps (0.25–0.7 eV) with semiconducting electronic‐transport properties.
Bioactivation of loxoprofen to a pharmacologically active metabolite and its disposition kinetics in human skin
Authors: Sawamura Ryoko , Sakurai Hidetaka , Wada Naoya , Nishiya Yumi , Honda Tomoyo , Kazui Miho , Kurihara Atsushi , Shinagawa Akira , Izumi Takashi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractLoxoprofen (LX) is a prodrug‐type non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug which is used not only as an oral drug but also as a transdermal formulation. As a pharmacologically active metabolite, the trans‐alcohol form of LX (trans‐OH form) is generated after oral administration to humans. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the generation of the trans‐OH form in human in vitro skin and to identify the predominant enzyme for its generation. In the permeation and metabolism study using human in vitro skin, both the permeation of LX and the formation of the trans‐OH form increased in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner after the application of LX gel to the skin. In addition, the characteristics of permeation and metabolism of both LX and the trans‐OH form were examined by a mathematical pharmacokinetic model. The Km value was calculated to be 10.3 mm in the human in vitro skin. The predominant enzyme which generates the trans‐OH form in human whole skin was identified to be carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) by immunodepletion using the anti‐human CBR1 antibody. The results of the enzyme kinetic study using the recombinant human CBR1 protein demonstrated that the Km and Vmax values were 7.30 mm and 402 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. In addition, it was found that no unknown metabolites were generated in the human in vitro skin. This is the first report in which LX is bioactivated to the trans‐OH form in human skin by CBR1. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Murine Monoclonal Antibody to Glycogen: Characterization of Epitope‐Fine Specificity by Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR Spectroscopy and Its Use in Mycobacterial Capsular α‐Glucan Research
Authors: van de Weerd Robert , Berbís M. Alvaro , Sparrius Marrion , Maaskant Janneke J. , Boot Maikel , Paauw Nanne J. , de Vries Nadine , Boon Louis , Baba Otto , Cañada F. Javier , Geurtsen Jeroen , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesús , Appelmelk Ben J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a major pathogen responsible for 1.5 million deaths annually. This bacterium is characterized by a highly unusual and impermeable cell envelope, which plays a key role in mycobacterial survival and virulence. Although many studies have focused on the composition and functioning of the mycobacterial cell envelope, the capsular α‐glucan has received relatively minor attention. Here we show that a murine monoclonal antibody (Mab) directed against glycogen cross‐reacts with mycobacterial α‐glucans, polymers of α(1–4)‐linked glucose residues with α(1–6)‐branch points. We identified the Mab epitope specificity by saturation transfer difference NMR and show that the α(1–4)‐linked glucose residues are important in glucan–Mab interaction. The minimal epitope is formed by (linear) maltotriose. Notably, a Mycobacterium mutant lacking the branching enzyme GlgB does not react with the Mab; this suggests that the α(1–6)‐branches form part of the epitope. These seemingly conflicting data can be explained by the fact that in the mutant the linear form of the α‐glucan (amylose) is insoluble. This Mab was subsequently used to develop several techniques helpful in capsular α‐glucan research. By using a capsular glucan‐screening methodology based on this Mab we were able to identify several unknown genes involved in capsular α‐glucan biogenesis. Additionally, we developed two methods for the detection of capsular α‐glucan levels. This study therefore opens new ways to study capsular α‐glucan and to identify possible targets for further research.
Enzymatic Enantioselective Decarboxylative Protonation of Heteroaryl Malonates
Authors: Lewin Ross , Goodall Mark , Thompson Mark L. , Leigh James , Breuer Michael , Baldenius Kai , Micklefield Jason 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe enzyme aryl/alkenyl malonate decarboxylase (AMDase) catalyses the enantioselective decarboxylative protonation (EDP) of a range of disubstituted malonic acids to give homochiral carboxylic acids that are valuable synthetic intermediates. AMDase exhibits a number of advantages over the non‐enzymatic EDP methods developed to date including higher enantioselectivity and more environmentally benign reaction conditions. In this report, AMDase and engineered variants have been used to produce a range of enantioenriched heteroaromatic α‐hydroxycarboxylic acids, including pharmaceutical precursors, from readily accessible α‐hydroxymalonates. The enzymatic method described here represents an improvement upon existing synthetic chemistry methods that have been used to produce similar compounds. The relationship between the structural features of these new substrates and the kinetics associated with their enzymatic decarboxylation is explored, which offers further insight into the mechanism of AMDase.
Photochromism Emergence in N‐Salicylidene p‐Aminobenzenesulfonate Diallylammonium Salts
Authors: Jacquemin Pierre‐Loïc , Robeyns Koen , Devillers Michel , Garcia Yann 
Published: March 2015

AbstractN‐Salicylidene p‐aminobenzenesulfonate salts were prepared by in situ condensation of p‐aminobenzenesulfonate diallylammonium salt and salicylaldehyde. Modulation of thermo‐ and photochromism was achieved by varying the alkyl chain length of the diallylammonium counter‐cation. A structural–optical properties investigation reveals that both crystal packing and dihedral angle between aromatic rings of the N‐salicylidene aniline switch are not sufficient to predict the occurrence of photochromism in the solid state. The available free space around the N‐salicylidene p‐aminobenzenesulfonate, in addition to the flexibility of the nearby environment, is shown to be of major importance for the cis→trans isomerisation to occur as well as for the stabilisation of the trans‐keto form. Emergence of photochromic properties was determined from the diallylhexylammonium cation within the series of investigated counter‐cations. High stability is observed for the trans‐keto form of one polymorph of N‐salicylidene p‐aminobenzenesulfonate diallylhexylammonium salt (k=2.4×10−7 s−1).
Hydrogen‐Bond‐Mediated Aglycone Delivery (HAD): A Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,2‐cis α‐D‐Glucosides from Common Glycosyl Donors in the Presence of Bromine
Authors: Yasomanee Jagodige P. , Demchenko Alexei V. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDescribed herein is the expansion of the picoloyl protecting‐group assisted H‐bond mediated aglycone delivery (HAD) method recently introduced by our laboratory. At first it was noticed that high α‐stereoselectivity is only obtained with S‐ethyl glycosyl donors and only in the presence of dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate (DMTST), in high dilution, and low temperature. Combining the mechanistic studies of the HAD reaction and bromine‐promoted glycosylations allowed a very effective method to be devised that allows for highly stereoselective α‐glycosidation of practically all common leaving groups (S‐phenyl, S‐tolyl, S/O‐imidates) at regular concentrations and ambient temperature.
Heteronuclear 3 d/DyIII Coordination Clusters as Catalysts in a Domino Reaction
Authors: Griffiths Kieran , Gallop Christopher W. D. , Abdul‐Sada Alaa , Vargas Alfredo , Navarro Oscar , Kostakis George E. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThree isoskeletal tetranuclear coordination clusters with general formula [MII2DyIII2L4(EtOH)6](ClO4)2⋅2 EtOH, (M=Co, 1; M=Ni, 2) and [NiII2DyIII2L4Cl2(CH3CN)2]⋅2 CH3CN (3), have been synthesized and characterized. These air‐stable compounds, and in particular 3, display efficient homogeneous catalytic behavior in the room‐temperature synthesis of trans‐4,5‐diaminocyclopent‐2‐enones from 2‐furaldehyde and primary or secondary amines under a non‐inert atmosphere.
Neuroarchitecture and neuroanatomy of the Drosophila central complex: A GAL4‐based dissection of protocerebral bridge neurons and circuits
Authors: Wolff Tanya , Iyer Nirmala A. , Rubin Gerald M. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTInsects exhibit an elaborate repertoire of behaviors in response to environmental stimuli. The central complex plays a key role in combining various modalities of sensory information with an insect's internal state and past experience to select appropriate responses. Progress has been made in understanding the broad spectrum of outputs from the central complex neuropils and circuits involved in numerous behaviors. Many resident neurons have also been identified. However, the specific roles of these intricate structures and the functional connections between them remain largely obscure. Significant gains rely on obtaining a comprehensive catalog of the neurons and associated GAL4 lines that arborize within these brain regions, and on mapping neuronal pathways connecting these structures. To this end, small populations of neurons in the Drosophila melanogaster central complex were stochastically labeled using the multicolor flip‐out technique and a catalog was created of the neurons, their morphologies, trajectories, relative arrangements, and corresponding GAL4 lines. This report focuses on one structure of the central complex, the protocerebral bridge, and identifies just 17 morphologically distinct cell types that arborize in this structure. This work also provides new insights into the anatomical structure of the four components of the central complex and its accessory neuropils. Most strikingly, we found that the protocerebral bridge contains 18 glomeruli, not 16, as previously believed. Revised wiring diagrams that take into account this updated architectural design are presented. This updated map of the Drosophila central complex will facilitate a deeper behavioral and physiological dissection of this sophisticated set of structures. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:997–1037, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential expression patterns of K+/Cl− cotransporter 2 in neurons within the superficial spinal dorsal horn of rats
Authors: Javdani Fariba , Holló Krisztina , Hegedűs Krisztina , Kis Gréta , Hegyi Zoltán , Dócs Klaudia , Kasugai Yu , Fukazawa Yugo , Shigemoto Ryuichi , Antal Miklós 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTγ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ and glycine‐mediated hyperpolarizing inhibition is associated with a chloride influx that depends on the inwardly directed chloride electrochemical gradient. In neurons, the extrusion of chloride from the cytosol primarily depends on the expression of an isoform of potassium–chloride cotransporters (KCC2s). KCC2 is crucial in the regulation of the inhibitory tone of neural circuits, including pain processing neural assemblies. Thus we investigated the cellular distribution of KCC2 in neurons underlying pain processing in the superficial spinal dorsal horn of rats by using high‐resolution immunocytochemical methods. We demonstrated that perikarya and dendrites widely expressed KCC2, but axon terminals proved to be negative for KCC2. In single ultrathin sections, silver deposits labeling KCC2 molecules showed different densities on the surface of dendritic profiles, some of which were negative for KCC2. In freeze fracture replicas and tissue sections double stained for the β3‐subunit of GABAA receptors and KCC2, GABAA receptors were revealed on dendritic segments with high and also with low KCC2 densities. By measuring the distances between spots immunoreactive for gephyrin (a scaffolding protein of GABAA and glycine receptors) and KCC2 on the surface of neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor‐immunoreactive dendrites, we found that gephyrin‐immunoreactive spots were located at various distances from KCC2 cotransporters; 5.7 % of them were recovered in the middle of 4–10‐µm‐long dendritic segments that were free of KCC2 immunostaining. The variable local densities of KCC2 may result in variable postsynaptic potentials evoked by the activation of GABAA and glycine receptors along the dendrites of spinal neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1967–1983, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Atmospheric Oxidation Mechanism of Benzyl Alcohol Initiated by OH Radicals: The Addition Channels
Authors: Wang Liming 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBenzyl alcohol (BA) is present in indoor atmospheres, where it reacts with OH radicals and undergoes further oxidation. A theoretical study is carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanism and to identify the main products of the oxidation of BA that is initiated by OH radicals. The reaction is found to proceed by H‐abstraction from the CH2 group (25 %) and addition to the ipso (60 %) and ortho (15 %) positions of the aromatic ring. The BA–OH adducts react further with O2 via the bicyclic radical intermediates—the same way as for benzene—forming mainly 3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxopropanal and butenedial. If NOx is low, the bicyclic peroxy radicals undergo intramolecular H‐migration, forming products containing OH, OOH, and CH2OH/CHO functional groups, and contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation.
Ebf2 is required for development of dopamine neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray matter of mouse
Authors: Yang Qiaoqiao , Liu Shuxi , Yin Min , Yin Yanqing , Zhou Guomin , Zhou Jiawei 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTDopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain ventral periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) play critical roles in various physiological and pathophysiological processes including sleep‐wake rhyme, antinociception, and drug addiction. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development are poorly understood. Here, we showed that PAG DA neurons arose as early as E15.5 in mouse embryos. During the prenatal period, the majority of PAG DA neurons was distributed in the intermediate and caudal regions of the PAG. In the postnatal brain, ∼50% of PAG DA neurons were preferentially located in the caudal portion of the PAG. Moreover, transcription factor early B‐cell factor 2 (Ebf2) was transiently expressed in a subset of DA neurons in embryonic ventral mesencephalon. Functional analysis revealed that loss of Ebf2 in vivo caused a marked reduction in the number of DA neurons in the midbrain PAG but not in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Thus, Ebf2 is identified as a novel and important regulator selectively required for midbrain PAG DA neuron development. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 1282–1294, 2015
Phenotypic differences of CD4+ T cells in response to red blood cell immunization in transfused sickle cell disease patients
Authors: Vingert Benoît , Tamagne Marie , Habibi Anoosha , Pakdaman Sadaf , Ripa Julie , Elayeb Rahma , Galacteros Frédéric , Bierling Philippe , Ansart‐Pirenne Hélène , Bartolucci Pablo , Noizat‐Pirenne France 
Published: March 2015

Alloimmunization against red blood cells (RBCs) is the main immunological risk associated with transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, about 50–70% of SCD patients never get immunized despite frequent transfusion. In murine models, CD4+ T cells play a key role in RBC alloimmunization. We therefore explored and compared the CD4+ T‐cell phenotypes and functions between a group of SCD patients (n = 11) who never became immunized despite a high transfusion regimen and a group of SCD patients (n = 10) who had become immunized (at least against Kidd antigen b) after a low transfusion regimen. We studied markers of CD4+ T‐cell function, including TLR, that directly control lymphocyte function, and their spontaneous cytokine production. We also tested responders for the cytokine profile in response to Kidd antigen b peptides. Low TLR2/TLR3 expression and, unexpectedly, strong expression of CD40 on CD4+ T cells were associated with the nonresponder status, whereas spontaneous expression of IL‐10 by CD4+ T cells and weak Tbet expression were associated with the responder status. A Th17 profile was predominant in responders when stimulated by Jbk. These findings implicate CD4+ T cells in alloimmunization in humans and suggest that they may be exploited to differentiate responders from nonresponders.
Reward responsiveness in patients with chronic pain
Authors: Elvemo N.A. , Landrø N.I. , Borchgrevink P.C. , Håberg A.K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundIt is proposed that changes in reward processing in the brain are involved in the pathophysiology of pain based on experimental studies. The first aim of the present study was to investigate if reward drive and/or reward responsiveness was altered in patients with chronic pain (PCP) compared to controls matched for education, age and sex. The second aim was to investigate the relationship between reward processing and nucleus accumbens volume in PCP and controls. Nucleus accumbens is central in reward processing and its structure has been shown to be affected by chronic pain conditions in previous studies.MethodsReward drive and responsiveness were assessed with the Behavioral Inhibition Scale/Behavioral Activation Scale, and nucleus accumbens volumes obtained from T1‐weighted brain MRIs obtained at 3T in 19 PCP of heterogeneous aetiologies and 20 age‐, sex‐ and education‐matched healthy controls. Anhedonia was assessed with Beck's Depression Inventory II.ResultsThe PCP group had significantly reduced scores on the reward responsiveness, but not reward drive. There was a trend towards smaller nucleus accumbens volume in the PCP compared to control group. There was a significant positive partial correlation between reward responsiveness and nucleus accumbens volume in the PCP group adjusted for anhedonia, which was significantly different from the same relationship in the control group.ConclusionsReward responsiveness is reduced in chronic pain patients of heterogeneous aetiology, and this reduction was associated with nucleus accumbens volume. Reduced reward responsiveness could be a marker of chronic pain vulnerability, and may indicate reduced opioid function.
Investigation of Printing‐Based Graded Bulk‐Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Bottenfield Christian G. , Wei Fanan , Park Hui Joon , Guo L. Jay , Li Guangyong 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA 2‐step method involving the evaporation of solvent through surface encapsulation and induced alignment (ESSENCIAL) has been used to create a compositionally graded active layer of interspersed acceptor and donor domains by printing‐based technologies, which can be used to fabricate solar cells with higher performance than that from traditional bulk heterojunction fabrication methods. Herein, to clarify the fundamental mechanism of the performance improvement, a multi‐scale simulation has been conducted to compare solar cells resulting from these two types of processing. The multi‐scale simulation identified the underlying improvements of the ESSENCIAL morphology over traditional morphologies. Monte Carlo simulations obtained higher hole‐mobility values and lower monomolecular recombination rates for the ESSENCIAL‐fabricated cells that, in conjunction with the optical and electrical components, showed higher short‐circuit currents, fill factors, and efficiencies, as indicated experimentally. The simulation offers the unique ability to model the varied active layer compositions and elucidate the underlying solar cell physics of complex morphologies.
Sustainable CO2Adsorbents Prepared by Coating Chitosan onto Mesoporous Silicas for Large‐Scale Carbon Capture Technology
Authors: Sneddon Gregor , Ganin Alexey Y. , Yiu Humphrey H. P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn this article, we report a new sustainable synthesis procedure for manufacturing chitosan/silica CO2adsorbents. Chitosan is a naturally abundant material and contains amine functionality, which is essential for selective CO2adsorptions. It is, therefore, ideally suited for manufacturing CO2adsorbents on a large scale. By coating chitosan onto high‐surface‐area mesoporous silica supports, including commercial fumed silica (an economical and accessible reagent) and synthetic SBA‐15 and MCF silicas, we have prepared a new family of CO2adsorbents, which have been fully characterised with nitrogen adsorption isotherms, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, TEM, FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. These adsorbents have achieved a significant CO2adsorption capacity of up to 0.98 mmol g−1at ambient conditions (P=1 atm andT=25 °C). The materials can also be fully regenerated/recycled on demand at temperatures as low as 75 °C with a >85 % retention of the adsorption capacity after 4 cycles, which makes them promising candidates for advanced CO2capture, storage and utilisation technology.
Do water quality criteria based on nonnative species provide appropriate protection for native species?
Authors: Jin Xiaowei , Wang Zijian , Wang Yeyao , Lv Yibing , Rao Kaifeng , Jin Wei , Giesy John P. , Leung Kenneth M. Y. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

The potential use of toxicity data for nonnative species to derive water quality criteria is controversial because it is sometimes questioned whether criteria based on species from one geographical region provide appropriate protection for species in a different region. However, this is an important concept for the development of Chinese water quality criteria or standards. Data were assembled on 38 chemicals for which values were available for both native and nonnative species. Sensitivities of these organisms were compared based on the 5% hazardous concentration values and the species sensitivity distribution from a literature review. Results of the present study's analysis showed that there is approximately 74% certainty that use of nonnative species to generate water quality criteria would be sufficiently protective of aquatic ecosystems in China. Without applying any assessment factor to the water quality criteria generated from nonnative species, the uncertainty would be 26% when the native Chinese species might be under protection. Applying an assessment factor of 10 would offer adequate protection to native Chinese species for approximately 90% of tested chemicals and thus reduce the uncertainty from 26% to 10%. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1793–1798. © 2015 SETAC
Amino acid profile and oxidizable vitamin content of Synsepalum dulcificum berry (miracle fruit) pulp
Authors: Njoku Njideka E. , Ubbaonu Collins N. , Alagbaoso Serah O. , Eluchie Chioma N. , Umelo Munachiso C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe amino acid profile of the Synsepalum dulcificum berry was studied. Among the essential amino acid observed, leucine (2.35 g/100 g protein) was the highest while methionine (0.31 g/100 g protein) was the lowest. The nonessential amino acids were also discovered, with glutamic acid (3.43 g/100 g protein) being the highest and glycine (0.38 g/100 g protein), the lowest. The study of the oxidizable vitamins revealed that vitamin C (1.33 mg/100 g) was more abundant than vitamin A (2.54 µg) and vitamin E (0.78 mg/100 g). This information will hopefully enhance the fruits acceptability by more people and thus, generally promote its utilization and appreciation in our diets.