bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antileukemic Properties of Naphthoquinone Derivatives of Lawsone
Authors: Inagaki Ryuta , Ninomiya Masayuki , Tanaka Kaori , Koketsu Mamoru 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNaphthoquinones are considered privileged structures for anticancer drug molecules. The Heck reaction of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (lawsone) with 1‐bromo‐3‐methyl‐2‐butene offered easy access to lapachol. Several naturally occurring linear and angular heterocyclic quinoids (α‐lapachone, β‐lapachone, dunnione, and related analogues) were prepared from lapachol. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the synthetic naphthoquinones inhibit cell proliferation in human leukemia HL‐60 cells. In particular, angular‐type derivatives were found to possess moderate cytotoxicity and to elevate the levels of intracellular glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Our work highlights the significant potential of naturally occurring angular‐series naphthoquinones as antileukemic agents.
Catalytic Oxidative Carbonylation of Amino Moieties to Ureas, Oxamides, 2‐Oxazolidinones, and Benzoxazolones
Authors: Mancuso Raffaella , Raut Dnyaneshwar S. , Della Ca' Nicola , Fini Francesco , Carfagna Carla , Gabriele Bartolo 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe direct syntheses of ureas, oxamides, 2‐oxazolidinones, and benzoxazolones by the oxidative carbonylation of amines, β‐amino alcohols, and 2‐aminophenols allows us to obtain high value added molecules, which have a large number of important applications in several fields, from very simple building blocks. We have found that it is possible to perform these transformations using the PdI2/KI catalytic system in an ionic liquid, such as 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, as the solvent, the solvent/catalyst system can be recycled several times with only a slight loss of activity, and the product can be recovered easily by crystallization.
Role of Exposed Surfaces on Zinc Oxide Nanostructures in the Catalytic Ethanol Transformation
Authors: Morales María V. , Asedegbega‐Nieto Esther , Iglesias‐Juez Ana , Rodríguez‐Ramos Inmaculada , Guerrero‐Ruiz Antonio 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFor a series of nanometric ZnO materials, the relationship between their morphological and surface functionalities and their catalytic properties in the selective decomposition of ethanol to yield acetaldehyde was explored. Six ZnO solids were prepared by a microemulsion‐precipitation method and the thermal decomposition of different precursors and compared with a commercial sample. All these materials were characterized intensively by XRD and SEM to obtain their morphological specificities. Additionally, surface area determinations and IR spectroscopy were used to detect differences in the surface properties. The density of acid surface sites was determined quantitatively using an isopropanol dehydration test. Based on these characterization studies and on the results of the catalytic tests, it has been established that ZnO basal surfaces seem to be responsible for the production of ethylene as a minor product as well as for secondary reactions that yield acetyl acetate. Furthermore, one specific type of exposed hydroxyl groups appears to govern the surface catalytic properties.
N‐Derivatives of peri‐Substituted Dichalcogenide [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Mimics: Towards Photocatalytic Dyads for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Figliola Carlotta , Male Louise , Horswell Sarah L. , Grainger Richard S. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSynthetic strategies towards molecular dyads based on peri‐substituted dichalcogenide (S,Se) [FeFe]‐hydrogenase synthetic mimics covalently linked to a ZnTPP photosensitizer are described. Dithiolate and diselenolate model systems 2–5 are prepared through condensation of 2‐naphthaldehydes with p‐methoxyaniline, reduction of the resulting Schiff base and oxidative insertion of Fe2(CO)6 into the dichalcogen bond of the imine or amine. Diselenolate‐based [FeFe] complexes (imine 3 and amine 5) are more efficient in electrocatalysis of proton reduction than their sulfur analogues 2 and 4 with increasing concentrations of pTsOH. Molecular dyad 1 containing a peri‐substituted naphthalene dithiolate Fe2(CO)6 cluster covalently linked via an amine to ZnTPP is prepared through sequential zinc insertion into the porphyrin followed by iron insertion into the disulfide bond.
Experimental paradigm for in-laboratory proxy aquatic studies under conditions of static, non–flow-through chemical exposures
Authors: Reddy Tirumuru V. , Flick Robert , Lazorchak James M. , Smith Mark E. , Wiechman Barry , Lattier David L. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as 17α-ethynylestradiol, 17β-estradiol, estrone, and para-nonylphenol have been measured in wastewater-treatment plant effluents, surface waters, sediments, and sludge and have been shown to induce liver-specific vitellogenin (vtg) messenger RNA in male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). The purpose of the present study was to establish minimal concentrations of select EDCs necessary to induce transcription of vtg in 48-h static renewal exposures, as measured by quantitative real-time thermal cycle amplification. Adult males were exposed to 17α-ethynylestradiol, 17β-estradiol, estrone, and para-nonylphenol. Dose-dependent increases in vtg expression were significant with all chemicals tested. The lowest concentrations of these chemicals to induce measurable vtg expression, with significant difference from respective controls, were 17α-ethynylestradiol, 2.2 ng L−1; para-nonylphenol, 13.9 μg L−1; 17β-estradiol, 42.7 ng L−1; and estrone, 46.7 ng L−1, measured as 48-h average concentrations. The present experiments were designed to frame a commonly acceptable approach for investigators who conduct static, in-laboratory proxy environmental aquatic exposures. The present study highlights the need for investigators to report in peer-reviewed submissions the observed concentration values for minimal induction levels when measuring molecular responses to chemical exposures by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or other “omic” technologies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2796–2802. Published 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Neonatal microbial colonization in mice promotes prolonged dominance of CD11b+Gr‐1+ cells and accelerated establishment of the CD4+ T cell population in the spleen
Authors: Kristensen Matilde B. , Metzdorff Stine B. , Bergström Anders , Damlund Dina S. M. , Fink Lisbeth N. , Licht Tine R. , Frøkiær Hanne 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTo assess the microbial influence on postnatal hematopoiesis, we examined the role of early life microbial colonization on the composition of leukocyte subsets in the neonatal spleen. A high number of CD11b+Gr‐1+ splenocytes present perinatally was sustained for a longer period in conventionally colonized (CONV) mice than in mono‐colonized (MC) and germfree (GF) mice, and the CD4+ T cell population established faster in CONV mice. At the day of birth, compared to GF mice, the expression of Cxcl2 was up‐regulated and Arg1 down‐regulated in livers of CONV mice. This coincided with lower abundance of polylobed cells in the liver of CONV mice. An earlier peak in the expression of the genes Tjp1, Cdh1, and JamA in intestinal epithelial cells of CONV mice indicated an accelerated closure of the epithelial barrier. In conclusion, we have identified an important microbiota‐dependent neonatal hematopoietic event, which we suggest impacts the subsequent development of the T cell population in the murine spleen.
Chemistry Constraints on the Origin of Life
Authors: Luisi Pier Luigi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis analysis starts from the view that prebiotic chemical evolution, leading to the first forms of life on earth, was based on a series of sequential steps, each determined by its own contingent initial conditions. This view is opposed to the more established one, which sees the origin of life as a series of preordered series of events, where each one is deterministically caused by the previous one and causally determines the next one. Some of the main constraints of chemistry that affect such prebiotic chemical evolution are examined. The notion of contingency is seen as a very important organizing process subjected to chemistry, whereby contingency also responds to a certain degree of determinism. Kinetic control, as another determinant and constraint of the prebiotic evolutionary process, can be critically important and, at a certain point of the chemical evolutionary process, kinetic control in the form of catalysis will become essential. Simple peptides can be considered as the first catalysts, at least for the condensation of peptide bonds. The concentration threshold for prebiotic reactions is often not taken into account in the literature, particularly in the field of the prebiotic RNA world. In addition, this shortcoming can make the entire prebiotic RNA world construction shaky and unreliable, including the “myth” of the perennial self‐replication of an RNA macromolecule. The general question of self‐replication and the problem of homochirality are also briefly discussed. Although these chemical constraints may hinder the reconstruction of life as it is now in the laboratory, their understanding can be useful and even essential for devising a synthetic alternative route to functional macromolecules and to their metabolic interactions.
Neopterin: An immune biomarker of coronary artery disease and its association with other CAD markers
Authors: Firoz Chelapram Kandy , Jabir Nasimudeen R. , Kamal Mohammad A. , Alama Mohammed Nabil , Damanhouri Ghazi A. , Khan Waseem , Alzahrani Anas S. , Almehdar Hussein A. , Tabrez Shams 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNeopterin has been considered as an important marker of cellular inflammation. The primary objective of the current study was to determine the role of neopterin in cardiovascular disease and its association with other well known cardiac markers. The study was composed of total 200 subjects (100 confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, 50 recently diagnosed, and 50 managed CAD patients) both men and women and 100 healthy control individuals of matching age and weight. Serum neopterin analysis was done using commercial available ELISA kits. Other cardiac markers viz. troponin, creatine kinase (CK), CK MB isoenzyme (CKMB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), fibrinogen, C‐reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) estimation was done by standard routine biochemical methods. Neopterin level was found to be remarkably enhanced by 150% and 513% in the recently diagnosed and managed CAD patients, respectively. CK level also showed a significant rise by 62% in the managed patients. However, recently diagnosed patients did not show any significant change. Moreover, cross correlation study showed statistically significant (P < 0.01) change in neopterin and CK levels between recently and managed patients. In the other studied CAD markers such as CKMB, fibrinogen and LDH also showed a significant increase in both categories of patients. CRP level was also found to be significantly enhanced by 357% (P < 0.01) and 341% (P < 0.05) in recently diagnosed and managed patients respectively. Because of cost effectiveness, easy and quick analysis of neopterin in the serum sample, we propose neopterin as the prognostic as well as diagnostic biomarker of CAD before other markers could be tested especially in Saudi population. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(6):453–459, 2015
Growth Determinants Revisited Using Limited‐Information Bayesian Model Averaging
Authors: Mirestean Alin , Tsangarides Charalambos G. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryWe revisit the growth empirics debate using a novel limited‐information Bayesian model averaging framework in short T panels that addresses model uncertainty, dynamics, and endogeneity. We construct an estimator without restrictive distributional assumptions, illustrate its performance using simulations, and apply it to the investigation of growth determinants. Once model uncertainty, dynamics, and endogeneity are accounted for, we identify several factors that are robustly correlated with growth. We find the strongest support for the neoclassical growth variables including initial income and proxies for physical and human capital accumulation, as well as evidence in favor of both fundamental and proximate factors including macroeconomic policy, geography, and ethnic heterogeneity. In addition, we demonstrate that applying methodologies that do not account for either dynamics or endogeneity yields different sets of robust determinants. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Surrogate Measure of Cortical Bone Matrix Density by Long T2-Suppressed MRI
Authors: Seifert Alan C , Li Cheng , Wehrli Suzanne L , Wehrli Felix W 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance has the potential to image and quantify two pools of water within bone: free water within the Haversian pore system (transverse relaxation time, T2&gt; 1 ms), and water hydrogen-bonded to matrix collagen (T2 ∼ 300 to 400 μs). Although total bone water concentration quantified by MRI has been shown to scale with porosity, greater insight into bone matrix density and porosity may be gained by relaxation-based separation of bound and pore water fractions. The objective of this study was to evaluate a recently developed surrogate measurement for matrix density, single adiabatic inversion recovery (SIR) zero echo-time (ZTE) MRI, in human bone. Specimens of tibial cortical bone from 15 donors (aged 27 to 97 years; 8 female and 7 male) were examined at 9.4T field strength using two methods: (1) 1H ZTE MRI, to capture total 1H signal, and (2) 1H SIR-ZTE MRI, to selectively image matrix-associated 1H signal. Total water, bone matrix, and bone mineral densities were also quantified gravimetrically, and porosity was measured by micro-CT. ZTE apparent total water 1H concentration was 32.7 ± 3.2 M (range 28.5 to 40.3 M), and was correlated positively with porosity (R2 = 0.80) and negatively with matrix and mineral densities (R2 =  0.90 and 0.82, respectively). SIR-ZTE apparent bound water 1H concentration was 32.9 ± 3.9 M (range 24.4 to 39.8 M), and its correlations were opposite to those of apparent total water: negative with porosity (R2 = 0.73) and positive with matrix density (R2 = 0.74) and mineral density (R2 = 0.72). Porosity was strongly correlated with gravimetric matrix density (R2 = 0.91, negative) and total water density (R2 = 0.92, positive). The strong correlations of SIR-ZTE-derived apparent bound water 1H concentration with ground-truth measurements suggest that this quantitative solid-state MRI method provides a nondestructive surrogate measure of bone matrix density. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Multiparametric control for enhanced biofilm selection in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Molognoni Daniele , Puig Sebastià , Balaguer M Dolors , Capodaglio Andrea G , Callegari Arianna , Colprim Jesús 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) directly convert the chemical energy present in wastewater into electricity. Enriching exoelectrogenic bacteria in the anode biofilm is a current and challenging research target. A multiparametric control strategy, focused on organic loading rate (OLR) and external resistance (Rext) parameters, is here proposed to enhance microbial selection in MFCs.RESULTSThe study examines the performance of a swine manure fed MFC working at optimal electrical condition. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control was adopted to continuously optimize applied Rext. Subsequent OLR decreases were performed to gradually improve anodic biofilm exoelectrogenic activity. The study demonstrates that high OLRs (11.2 kg COD m−3 d−1) limit MFC electrochemical losses, and increase absolute values of organic removal rate (4.6 kg COD m−3 d−1) and current production (14.9 mA). On the other hand, low OLR adoption (0.7 kg COD m−3 d−1) results in higher organic matter removal (52%) and coulombic efficiency (higher than 70%) of the MFC.CONCLUSIONA multiparametric control for MFCs is proposed. Combining MPPT control and low OLR results in rapid improvement of exoelectrogenic activity in MFCs biofilm. The developed strategy may be useful for future MFCs applications, in order to achieve efficient start‐up and sustainable operation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Plant growth responses to biochar amendment of Mediterranean soils deficient in iron and phosphorus
Authors: Alburquerque José Antonio , Cabello Marta , Avelino Rebeca , Barrón Vidal , del Campillo María Carmen , Torrent José 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of biochar on plant growth under Fe‐ and P‐deficient soil conditions. Lupin and sorghum (sensitive to soil Fe and P deficiency, respectively) were pot‐grown on one (Fe) or two (P) soils to which either two biochars of contrasting properties (produced from olive‐tree pruning and pine wood) or Fe/P fertilizers or biochars combined with Fe/P fertilizers were added.Without Fe addition, the olive‐tree pruning biochar increased lupin growth with results comparable to those of the sole application of the Fe fertilization, while biochars combined with the Fe fertilization did not significantly affect plant growth variables relative to the Fe treatment alone. Biochar did not correct P deficiency in the tested soils. However, the application of the pine wood biochar together with a P fertilizer to a calcareous soil increased sorghum biomass yield by 42% relative to the sole application of the P fertilizer. Biochar addition did not significantly affect root traits, suggesting its scarce influence on nutrient mobilization and uptake efficiency.Although biochar alone did not alleviate nutrient deficiency in the studied soils due to the low Fe and P contents added in available form with the tested materials, the present results suggest that biochar can provide additional benefits combined with the use of fertilizers under nutrient‐deficient conditions; and open new options to formulate biochar‐based amendments that can play a relevant role in the context of sustainable agriculture.
Differential expression of genes in purple‐shoot tea tender leaves and mature leaves during leaf growth
Authors: Zhou Qiongqiong , Sun Weijiang , Lai Zhongxiong 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundTea (Camellia sinensis L.), contains high levels of secondary metabolic products with both commercial and medicinal value. At present, most cultivated tea plant have green leaves; although tea plants with purple leaves exist, their supply is inadequate. During leaf growth and maturation, the content of secondary metabolic compounds decreases, resulting in higher content in tender purple leaves (TPL), and lower content in mature green leaves (MGL). The aim of this study was to analyze the differential expression of genes in these two tissues, with a cDNA‐AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) approach and biochemical analysis.ResultsCompared to MGL samples, TPL samples had higher content of anthocyanin, total polyphenols and total catechins, a higher carotenoid‐to‐chlorophyll ratio and lower content of soluble sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose). TPL samples showed a lower photosynthetic ability, demonstrated by a lower CO2 assimilation and carbohydrate accumulation rate. Using cDNA‐AFLP with 256 primer combinations, differential transcript profiling generated 148 matched transcript‐derived fragments (TDFs). Among these TDFs, 77 genes were upregulated and 71 were downregulated. These were grouped into 11 functional categories which are important for final tea quality parameters.ConclusionsOur data presented the first effort to elucidate the molecular basis of differential accumulation of key metabolites during tea leaf maturation. Our findings also provided a theoretical molecular explanation for the color change during leaf growth. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the mechanical harvest of drupes on the quality characteristics of green fermented table olives
Authors: Martorana Alessandra , Alfonzo Antonio , Settanni Luca , Corona Onofrio , La Croce Francesco , Caruso Tiziano , Moschetti Giancarlo , Francesca Nicola 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDBecause of damage caused by mechanical harvesting, the drupes for table olive production are traditionally hand harvested. Until now, no data have been available on the microbiological and chemical features of mechanically harvested drupes during fermentation.RESULTSDrupes mechanically harvested and inoculated with Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 were characterized by the lowest concentrations of potential spoilage microorganisms. On the other hand, drupes mechanically harvested and subjected to spontaneous fermentation showed the highest concentration of Enterobacteriaceae and pseudomonads during transformation. The lowest decrease of pH (4.20) was registered for the trials inoculated with the starter culture. Differences in terms of volatile organic compounds were estimated among trials. Multivariate analysis showed that the olives processed from the drupes mechanically harvested and inoculated with starter were closely related to control production (drupes manually harvested) in terms of microbiological and pH values. Sensory analysis evidenced negative evaluations only for the uninoculated trials.CONCLUSIONDrupes mechanically harvested and subjected to a driven fermentation with Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 determined the production of table olives with appreciable organoleptic features. Thus mechanical harvesting performed using a trunk shaker equipped with an inverse umbrella and the addition of starter lactic acid bacteria represents a valuable alternative to manual harvesting for table olive production at the industrial level. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Resource allocation by the marine cyanobacterium SynechococcusWH8102 in response to different nutrient supply ratios
Authors: Mouginot Céline , Zimmerman Amy E. , Bonachela Juan A. , Fredricks Helen , Allison Steven D. , Van Mooy Benjamin A. S. , Martiny Adam C. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDifferences in relative availability of nitrate vs. phosphate may contribute to regional variations in plankton elemental stoichiometry. As a representative of the globally abundant marine Synechococcus, strain WH8102 was grown in 16 chemostats up to 52  d at a fixed growth rate with nitrogen–phosphorus ratios (N : Psupply) of 1–50. Initially, the phosphate and nitrate concentrations in the vessel decreased when the respective nutrient was limiting. Cell growth generally stabilized, although several chemostats had apparent oscillations in biomass. We observed extensive plasticity in the elemental content and ratios. N : Pcell matched the supply values between N : Psupply 5 and 20. The C : Pcell followed a similar trend. In contrast, the mean C : Ncell was 6.8 and did not vary as a function of supply ratios. We also observed that induction of alkaline phosphatase, the fraction of P allocated to nucleic acids, and the lipid sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol : phosphatidyglycerol ratio inversely correlated with P availability. Our results suggest that this extensive plasticity in the elemental content and ratios depends both on the external nutrient availability as well as past growth history. Thus, our study provides a quantitative understanding of the regulation of the elemental stoichiometry of an abundant ocean phytoplankton lineage.