bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoking and Its Association With Morbidity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Evaluated by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index: Preliminary Data and Systematic Review
Authors: Montes Ricardo A. , Mocarzel Luiz O. , Lanzieri Pedro G. , Lopes Lais M. , Carvalho Amanda , Almeida Jorge R. 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveDue to the increased availability of effective treatments, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) now have longer survival times, and factors involved in cumulative chronic damage in SLE need to be better understood. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between smoking and cumulative chronic damage in SLE patients.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of SLE patients was performed to investigate the possible association between smoking exposure (ever [previous or current, active or secondhand smokers] or never) and cumulative chronic damage as measured by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). A systematic review of the literature was conducted by cross‐searching Medline for the terms lupus and smoking.ResultsWe enrolled 105 patients with SLE (96% female), with a mean ± SD age of 40.7 ± 11.4 years and a mean followup time of 8.98 years. Of the 105 patients, 74 had an SDI score of 1–10, and 31 had an SDI score of 0. The difference between smoking exposure and no smoking exposure was significant (P = 0.02 by chi‐square test in contingency table analysis), and SLE patients who were never exposed to smoking had 0.78 times the risk of progressing toward a cumulative damage status (SDI score of > 0) (95% confidence interval 0.16–0.98) throughout the followup period compared to those who were ever exposed. In the systematic review of the literature, we found only a small number of articles that addressed some aspects of the relationship between smoking exposure and cumulative damage in SLE patients.ConclusionOur findings indicate that smoking exposure is associated with cumulative chronic damage, as determined by the SDI score, in patients with SLE. Smoking exposure may have deleterious effects on lupus morbidity, and more detailed studies of this association are needed.
Water‐Soluble Fluorescent Probes for Selective Recognition of Lysine and Its Application in an Object Carry‐and‐Release System
Authors: Ma Hengchang , Qi Chunxuan , Cao Haiying , Zhang Zhongwei , Yang Zengming , Zhang Bing , Chen Chao , Lei Zi Qiang 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA water‐soluble fluorescent probe PEG‐TPA‐5′ was synthesized, which shows an excellent selectivity to detect Lys in aqueous phase. An object carry‐and‐release system is established by applying PEG‐TPA‐5′ as carrier and Lys as chemical stimulating source.
Spectral analysis on origination of the bands at 437 nm and 475.5 nm of chlorophyll fluorescence excitation spectrum in Arabidopsis chloroplasts
Authors: Zeng Lizhang , Wang Yongqiang , Zhou Jun 
Published: September 2015

AbstractChlorophyll fluorescence has been often used as an intrinsic optical molecular probe to study photosynthesis. In this study, the origin of bands at 437 and 475.5 nm in the chlorophyll fluorescence excitation spectrum for emission at 685 nm in Arabidopsis chloroplasts was investigated using various optical analysis methods. The results revealed that this fluorescence excitation spectrum was related to the absorption characteristics of pigment molecules in PSII complexes. Moreover, the excitation band centred at 475.5 nm had a blue shift, but the excitation band at 437 nm changed relatively less due to induction of non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). Furthermore, fluorescence emission spectra showed that this blue shift occurred when excitation energy transfer from both chlorophyll b (Chl b) and carotenoids (Cars) to chlorophyll a (Chl a) was blocked. These results demonstrate that the excitation band at 437 nm was mainly contributed by Chl a, while the excitation band at 475.5 nm was mainly contributed by Chl b and Cars. The chlorophyll fluorescence excitation spectrum, therefore, could serve as a useful tool to describe specific characteristics of light absorption and energy transfer between light‐harvesting pigments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of the Surface Densities of Glycoclusters on the Determination of Their IC50 and Kd Value Determination by Using a Microarray
Authors: Dupin Lucie , Zuttion Francesca , Géhin Thomas , Meyer Albert , Phaner‐Goutorbe Magali , Vasseur Jean‐Jacques , Souteyrand Eliane , Morvan François , Chevolot Yann 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic bacterium involved in 10–30 % of nosocomial diseases. It causes severe lung injury to cystic fibrosis patients, often leading to patient death. PA strains are multidrug resistant, thus making the design of new therapeutics a challenge for public health. One promising therapeutic option is to design glycoclusters that target the virulence factor of PA. LecA is a galactose‐specific lectin that might be involved in adhesion and biofilm formation by PA. The DNA‐directed immobilization (DDI) microarray is a powerful tool for screening and understanding of structure–activity relationships between glycoclusters and lectins. High‐throughput and multiplexed analysis of lectin–glycocluster interactions on a DDI microarray allows measurement of IC50 and dissociation constant (Kd) values with minute amounts of material. In order to study the robustness of the DDI microarray in determination of IC50 and Kd values, the impact of glycocluster surface density was investigated. The data obtained show that measured IC50 values were influenced by glycocluster surface density: as the density of glycoclusters increases, the measured IC50 values increase too. In contrast, the measured Kd values were not affected by glycocluster surface density, provided that the experimental conditions allow interaction between glycocluster and lectin at single‐molecule level (no surface cluster effect).
Analysis of the Role of Peripheral Ligands Coordinated to ZnII in Enhancing the Energy Barrier in Luminescent Linear Trinuclear Zn‐Dy‐Zn Single‐Molecule Magnets
Authors: Costes Jean Pierre , Titos‐Padilla Silvia , Oyarzabal Itziar , Gupta Tulika , Duhayon Carine , Rajaraman Gopalan , Colacio Enrique 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThree new Dy complexes have been prepared according to a complex‐as‐ligand strategy. Structural determinations indicate that the central Dy ion is surrounded by two LZn units (L2− is the di‐deprotonated form of the N2O2 compartmental N,N′‐2,2‐dimethylpropylenedi(3‐methoxysalicylideneiminato) Schiff base. The Dy ions are nonacoordinate to eight oxygen atoms from the two L ligands and to a water molecule. The Zn ions are pentacoordinate in all cases, linked to the N2O2 atoms from L, and the apical position of the Zn coordination sphere is occupied by a water molecule or bromide or chloride ions. These resulting complexes, formulated (LZnX)‐Dy‐(LZnX), are tricationic with X=H2O and monocationic with X=Br or Cl. They behave as field‐free single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) with effective energy barriers (Ueff) for the reversal of the magnetization of 96.9(6) K with τ0=2.4×10−7 s, 146.8(5) K with τ0=9.2×10−8 s, and 146.1(10) K with τ0=9.9×10−8 s for compounds with ZnOH2, ZnBr, and ZnCl motifs, respectively. The Cole–Cole plots exhibit semicircular shapes with α parameters in the range of 0.19 to 0.29, which suggests multiple relaxation processes. Under a dc applied magnetic field of 1000 Oe, the quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) is partly or fully suppressed and the energy barriers increase to Ueff=128.6(5) K and τ0=1.8×10−8 s for 1, Ueff=214.7 K and τ0=9.8×10−9 s for 2, and Ueff=202.4 K and τ0=1.5×10−8 s for 3. The two pairs of largely negatively charged phenoxido oxygen atoms with short DyO bonds are positioned at opposite sides of the Dy3+ ion, which thus creates a strong crystal field that stabilizes the axial MJ=±15/2 doublet as the ground Kramers doublet. Although the compound with the ZnOH2 motifs possesses the larger negative charges on the phenolate oxygen atoms, as confirmed by using DFT calculations, it exhibits the larger distortions of the DyO9 coordination polyhedron from ideal geometries and a smaller Ueff value. Ab initio calculations support the easy‐axis anisotropy of the ground Kramers doublet and predict zero‐field SMM behavior through Orbach and TA‐QTM relaxations via the first excited Kramers doublet, which leads to large energy barriers. In accordance with the experimental results, ab initio calculations have also shown that, compared with water, the peripheral halide ligands coordinated to the Zn2+ ions increase the barrier height when the distortions of the DyO9 have a negative effect. All the complexes exhibit metal‐centered luminescence after excitation into the UV π–π* absorption band of ligand L2− at λ=335 nm, which results in the appearance of the characteristic DyIII (4F9/2→6HJ/2; J=15/2, 13/2) emission bands in the visible region.
Selective and Scalable Chemical Removal of Thin Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes from their Mixtures with Double‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Komínková Zuzana , Valeš Václav , Kalbáč Martin 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDouble‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) are materials in high demand due to their superior properties. However, it is very challenging to prepare DWCNTs samples of high purity. In particular, the removal of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) contaminants is a major problem. Here, a procedure for a selective removal of thin‐diameter SWCNTs from their mixtures with DWCNTs by lithium vapor treatment is investigated. The results are evaluated by Raman spectroscopy and in situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry. It is shown that the amount of SWCNTs was reduced by about 35 % after lithium vapor treatment of the studied SWCNTs–DWCNTs mixture.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Carbon‐Coated Nanostructured Iron Oxide on Few‐Layer Graphene for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Zhenyu , Madej Edyta , Wiktor Christian , Sinev Ilya , Fischer Roland A. , van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Muhler Martin , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Ventosa Edgar 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNanostructure engineering has been demonstrated to improve the electrochemical performance of iron oxide based electrodes in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the synthesis of advanced functional materials often requires multiple steps. Herein, we present a facile one‐pot synthesis of carbon‐coated nanostructured iron oxide on few‐layer graphene through high‐pressure pyrolysis of ferrocene in the presence of pristine graphene. The ferrocene precursor supplies both iron and carbon to form the carbon‐coated iron oxide, while the graphene acts as a high‐surface‐area anchor to achieve small metal oxide nanoparticles. When evaluated as a negative‐electrode material for LIBs, our composite showed improved electrochemical performance compared to commercial iron oxide nanopowders, especially at fast charge/discharge rates.
Real‐Time Detection of Traces of Benzaldehyde in Benzyl Alcohol as a Solvent by a Flexible Lanthanide Microporous Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Zhang Huan , Chen Diming , Ma Huili , Cheng Peng 
Published: September 2015

AbstractLuminescent 3D lanthanide metal–organic framework (Ln‐MOF) {[Tb2(TATAB)2]⋅4 H2O⋅6 DMF}n (1) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions by using flexible ligand 4,4′,4′′‐s‐triazine‐1,3,5‐triyltri‐p‐aminobenzoate (TATAB). A phase transition was observed between low temperature and room temperature. The luminescence of 1 could be enhanced by formaldehyde and quenched efficiently by trace amounts of benzaldehyde in solvents such as benzyl alcohol (0.01–2.0 vol %) and ethanol (0.01–2.5 vol %). This is the first use of a Ln‐MOF as chemical sensor for both formaldehyde and benzaldehyde. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the luminescence response of 1 to benzaldehyde allows it to be used as an excellent sensor for identifying benzaldehyde and provides a simple and convenient method for detecting traces of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol based injections. This work establishes a new strategy for detection of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol by luminescent MOFs.
Caspase 3 Targeted Cargo Delivery in Apoptotic Cells Using Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: de la Torre Cristina , Mondragón Laura , Coll Carmen , García‐Fernández Alba , Sancenón Félix , Martínez‐Máñez Ramón , Amorós Pedro , Pérez‐Payá Enrique , Orzáez Mar 
Published: September 2015

AbstractExcessive apoptotic cell death is at the origin of several pathologies, such as degenerative disorders, stroke or ischemia‐reperfusion damage. In this context, strategies to improve inhibition of apoptosis and other types of cell death are of interest and may represent a pharmacological opportunity for the treatment of cell‐death‐related disorders. In this scenario new peptide‐containing delivery systems (solids S1‐P1 and S1‐P2) are described based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with a dye and capped with the KKGDEVDKKARDEVDK (P1) peptide that contains two repeats of the DEVD target sequence that are selectively hydrolyzed by caspase 3 (C3). This enzyme plays a central role in the execution‐phase of apoptosis. HeLa cells electroporated with S1–P1 are able to deliver the cargo in the presence of staurosporin (STS), which induces apoptosis with the consequent activation of the cytoplasmic C3 enzyme. Moreover, the nanoparticles S1‐P2, containing both a cell‐penetrating TAT peptide and P1 also entered in HeLa cells and delivered the cargo preferentially in cells treated with the apoptosis inducer cisplatin.
Unveiling the Importance of π‐Stacking in Borrowing‐Hydrogen Processes Catalysed by Iridium Complexes with Pyrene Tags
Authors: Ruiz‐Botella Sheila , Peris Eduardo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis work describes the preparation of a series of pyrene‐tagged N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of iridium, and their use in two benchmark borrowing hydrogen reactions: the reduction of ketones by transfer hydrogenation and the β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. The detailed study of these homogeneously catalysed reactions reveals several important implications regarding the strong influence of the pyrene tags in the catalysts. First, the catalytic activity is partially inhibited by addition of an external amount of pyrene, but only when pyrene‐tagged catalysts and aromatic substrates are used. Second, the rate order of the reaction is highly dependent on the nature of the substrates and the ligand. When pyrene‐tagged catalysts and aromatic substrates are used, the reaction follows a zero‐order dependence on the concentration of the substrate. All other combinations afford a second‐order rate in the substrates. And third, the presence or absence of the pyrene functionality in the catalyst also influences the reaction order with respect to the concentration of the catalyst. Pyrene‐containing catalysts display a fractional rate order of below 1. Finally, two pyrene‐tagged catalysts were supported onto reduced‐graphene oxide (rGO), and used as heterogeneous catalysts. While the dimetallic catalyst was effectively recycled 12 times, the monometallic catalyst maintained its activity for only three runs.
Iodine‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Amidation of β,γ‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids with Chloramine Salts Leading to Allylic Amides
Authors: Kiyokawa Kensuke , Kojima Takumi , Hishikawa Yusuke , Minakata Satoshi 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe iodine‐catalyzed decarboxylative amidation of β,γ‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with chloramine salts is described. This method enables the regioselective synthesis of allylic amides from various types of β,γ‐unsaturated carboxylic acids containing substituents at the α‐ and β‐positions. In the reaction, N‐iodo‐N‐chloroamides, generated by the reaction of a chloramine salt with I2, function as a key active species. The reaction provides an attractive alternative to existing methods for the synthesis of useful secondary allylic amine derivatives.
A Theoretical Study of Ene Reactions in Solution: A Solution‐Phase Translational Entropy Model
Authors: Zhao Liu , Li Shi‐Jun , Fang De‐Cai 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSeveral density functional theory (DFT) methods, such as CAM‐B3LYP, M06, ωB97x, and ωB97xD, are used to characterize a range of ene reactions. The Gibbs free energy, activation enthalpy, and entropy are calculated with both the gas‐ and solution‐phase translational entropy; the results obtained from the solution‐phase translational entropies are quite close to the experimental measurements, whereas the gas‐phase translational entropies do not perform well. For ene reactions between the enophile propanedioic acid (2‐oxo‐1,3‐dimethyl ester) and π donors, the two‐solvent‐involved explicit+implicit model can be employed to obtain accurate activation entropies and free‐energy barriers, because the interaction between the carbonyl oxygen atom and the solvent in the transition state is strengthened with the formation of C−C and O−H bonds. In contrast, an implicit solvent model is adequate to calculate activation entropies and free‐energy barriers for the corresponding reactions of the enophile 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione.
Design Guidelines for High‐Performance Particle‐Based Photoanodes for Water Splitting: Lanthanum Titanium Oxynitride as a Model
Authors: Landsmann Steve , Maegli Alexandra E. , Trottmann Matthias , Battaglia Corsin , Weidenkaff Anke , Pokrant Simone 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSemiconductor powders are perfectly suited for the scalable fabrication of particle‐based photoelectrodes, which can be used to split water using the sun as a renewable energy source. This systematic study is focused on variation of the electrode design using LaTiO2N as a model system. We present the influence of particle morphology on charge separation and transport properties combined with post‐treatment procedures, such as necking and size‐dependent co‐catalyst loading. Five rules are proposed to guide the design of high‐performance particle‐based photoanodes by adding or varying several process steps. We also specify how much efficiency improvement can be achieved using each of the steps. For example, implementation of a connectivity network and surface area enhancement leads to thirty times improvement in efficiency and co‐catalyst loading achieves an improvement in efficiency by a factor of seven. Some of these guidelines can be adapted to non‐particle‐based photoelectrodes.
Circulating tumor cells are correlated with disease progression and treatment response in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model
Authors: Yan Jun , Fan Zhichao , Wu Xiufeng , Xu Min , Jiang Jiahao , Tan Changjun , Wu Weizhong , Wei Xunbin , Zhou Jian 
Published: September 2015

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor characterized by rapid progression, poor prognosis, and frequent hematogenous metastasis. A minimally invasive diagnostic biomarker that can predict disease progression and treatment response would be of extraordinary benefit. Therefore, we have investigated whether the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is correlated with disease progression and treatment response in HCC. Here we report that the number of CTCs, monitored by in vivo flow cytometry (IVFC), is strongly correlated with disease progression and treatment response in a highly metastatic orthotopic nude mouse model of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labeled HCC. Sorafenib treatment reduces the number of CTCs significantly. The decreased number of CTCs is consistent with low lung metastasis. This study has demonstrated a considerable clinical value of CTCs as a biomarker in predicting disease progression and monitoring therapeutic efficacy in patients with HCC. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A New Role for an Old Drug: Metformin Targets MicroRNAs in Treating Diabetes and Cancer
Authors: Zhou Joseph Yi , Xu Biao , Li Lixin 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Preclinical Research

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of short, noncoding, 19–23 base pair RNA molecules. Due to their unique role in gene regulation in various tissues, miRNAs play important roles in regulating insulin secretion, metabolic disease, and cancer biology. Emerging evidence demonstrates that miRNAs could also be novel diagnostic markers for a variety of disease states. Additionally, miRNAs have been found to function either as oncogenes, or tumor suppressor genes in cerian cancers. An increasing number of studies have been conducted investigating new drugs targeting miRNAs as a potential anticancer therapy. Metformin is the most widely prescribed medication for treating Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recent clinical data suggests that metformin impacts the miRNA profile in T2D subjects. Most excitingly, studies have found that metformin is protective against cancer. The anticancer activity of metformin is mediated through a direct regulation of miRNAs, which further modulates several downstream genes in metabolic or preoncogenic pathways. These miRNAs are, therefore, prospective therapeutic targets for treating diabetes and cancer which is the topic of this review. Further study on the regulation of miRNAs by metformin could result in novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent or drug‐esistant cancer, and as part of combinatorial approaches with conventional anticancer therapies. Drug Dev Res 76 : 263–269, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fuels from oils and fats: Recent developments and perspectives
Authors: Mittelbach Martin 
Published: September 2015

Fats and oils continue to be the main feedstock for alternative transport fuels, especially for FAME (biodiesel) production. Nevertheless, hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), which are mixtures of alkanes, are also established as a commercial fuel. This review describes recent developments in FAME and HVO production and utilization, including microbial oil use. However, the use of unmodified plant oil as fuel or their corresponding engine and emission tests are not discussed. Recent developed catalysts are described for FAME production, including heterogeneous catalysts, such as super acids, ion‐exchange resins, and other green catalysts produced from biomass. Bio‐catalytic approaches using soluble or immobilized enzymes are at the early commercialization stage. Since HVO production technology is based mainly on current mineral oil industry processing methods, the scientific literature is not as extensive as that of FAME production. The main reaction routes of HVO are a combination of hydrogenation, decarboxylation, decarbonylation, hydroisomerization, and cracking under high pressure and temperatures, using supported and unsupported heterogeneous metal catalysts. Recent reports have highlighted the potential use of non‐food oils, such as microalgae lipids, but industrial significant progress has not occurred, leading to some disillusionment with this approach. Therefore, a clear strategy should be developed for upstream and downstream processes with parallel evaluation of life cycle assessment (LCA). In addition, energy intensive steps of biomass drying and solvent extraction should be avoided by using intelligent technologies, such as in situ processing of wet biomass.Biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oils today are the most important alternative diesel fuels in the transport sector. They are produced from the same feedstock, namely oil and fat containing biomass. There has been a shift from food sources to waste material like used cooking oil and animal fat residues as well microbial oils. The latest developments in new feedstock sources, process technologies as well as life cycle assessment and future perspectives are discussed.