bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyethyleneimine coating of magnetic particles increased the stability of an immobilized diglycosidase
Authors: Minig Marisol , Mazzaferro Laura S. , Capecce Agostina , Breccia Javier D. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe diglycosidase, α‐rhamnosyl‐β‐glucosidase, from Acremonium sp. DSM24697 was immobilized by adsorption and cross‐linking onto polyaniline–iron (PI) particles. The immobilization yield and the immobilization efficiency were relatively high, 31.2% and 8.9%, respectively. However, the heterogeneous preparation showed lower stability in comparison with the soluble form of the enzyme in operational conditions at 60 °C. One parameter involved in the reduced stability of the heterogeneous preparation was the protein metal–catalyzed oxidation achieved by iron traces supplied from the support. To overcome the harmful effect, iron particles were coated with polyethyleneimine (PEI; 0.84 mg/g) previously for the immobilization of the catalyst. The increased stability of the catalyst was correlated with the amount of iron released from the support. Under operational conditions, the uncoated particles lost between 76% and 52% activity after two cycles of reuse, whereas the PEI‐coated preparation reduced 45–28% activity after five cycles of reuse in the range of pH 5.0–10, respectively. Hence, polymer coating of magnetic materials used as enzyme supports might be an interesting approach to improve the performance of biotransformation processes.
Nutraceuticals and regulation of adipocyte life: Premises or promises
Authors: Colitti Monica , Grasso Stefano 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObesity is the actual worldwide health threat, that is associated with an increased number of metabolic disorders and diseases. Following the traditional hypothesis stating that in obesity hypertrophic adipocytes trigger the adipose tissue hyperplasia, strategies to treat obesity have increased fat researches of the molecular processes that achieve adipocyte enlargement and formation that finally increase body fat mass. Moreover, a new cell type was recently identified, the “brite” adipocyte that presents a unique gene expression profile of compared to both brown and white adipocytes. Therapies against obesity, targeting these cells and their pathways, would include the induction of lipolysis and apoptosis or the inhibition of differentiation and adipogenesis. However, it should be noted that both the increase of adipocyte size and number take place in association with positive energy balance. According to the adipose tissue expansion hypothesis, adipogenesis could be related with improved metabolic health of obese people, taking back the adipose mass to a traditionally site of lipid storage. Furthermore, new perspectives in fat biology suggest that the conversion of white‐to‐brown adipocytes and their metabolism could be exploited for the development of therapeutic approaches against obesity‐associated diseases and for the regulation of energy balance. Drugs currently available to treat obesity generally have unpleasant side effects. A novel promising approach is the usage of dietary supplements and plant products that could interfere on the life cycle of adipocyte. Here, various dietary bioactive compounds that target different stages of adipocyte life cycle and molecular and metabolic pathways are reviewed. © 2014 BioFactors, 40(4):398–418, 2014
A retrospective analysis of the effect of intraoperative opioid dose on cancer recurrence after non‐small cell lung cancer resection
Authors: Cata Juan P. , Keerty Visesh , Keerty Dinesh , Feng Lei , Norman Peter H. , Gottumukkala Vijaya , Mehran John R. , Engle Mitchel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPreclinical studies have demonstrated that opioid receptor agonists increase the rate of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth and metastasis. Following institutional review board approval, we retrieved data on 901 patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Comprehensive demographics, intraoperative data, and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) at 3 and 5 years were obtained. Cox proportional analyses were conducted to assess the association between intraoperative opioid exposure and RFS and OS. The median intraoperative fentanyl equivalents dosage was 10.15 μg/kg. The multivariate analysis by stage indicated that a trend toward significance for opioid consumption as a risk factor in stage I patients (P = 0.053). No effect was found on RFS for stage II or III patients. Alternatively, opioid consumption was a risk factor for OS for stage I patients (P = 0.036), whereas no effect was noted for stage II or III patients. Intraoperative opioid use is associated with decreased OS in stage I but not stage II–III NSCLC patients. Until randomized controlled studies explore this association further, opioids should continue to be a key component of balanced anesthesia.
A role for G‐CSF and GM‐CSF in nonmyeloid cancers
Authors: Aliper Alexander M. , Frieden‐Korovkina Victoria P. , Buzdin Anton , Roumiantsev Sergey A. , Zhavoronkov Alex 
Published: April 2014

AbstractGranulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) modulate progression of certain solid tumors. The G‐CSF‐ or GM‐CSF‐secreting cancers, albeit not very common are, however, among the most rapidly advancing ones due to a cytokine‐mediated immune suppression and angiogenesis. Similarly, de novo angiogenesis and vasculogenesis may complicate adjuvant use of recombinant G‐CSF or GM‐CSF thus possibly contributing to a cancer relapse. Rapid diagnostic tools to differentiate G‐CSF‐ or GM‐CSF‐secreting cancers are not well developed therefore hindering efforts to individualize treatments for these patients. Given an increasing utilization of adjuvant G‐/GM‐CSF in cancer therapy, we aimed to summarize recent studies exploring their roles in pathophysiology of solid tumors and to provide insights into some complexities of their therapeutic applications.
MnO2 Nanoflower Arrays with High Rate Capability for Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Li Wenyao , Xu Kaibing , Li Bo , Sun Jianqing , Jiang Feiran , Yu Zhishui , Zou Rujia , Chen Zhigang , Hu Junqing 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLarge‐area α‐MnO2 nanoflower arrays are synthesized by using a facile and template‐free electrochemical deposition on flexible graphite paper. These nanoflower arrays exhibit a high specific capacitance of 314 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 with remarkable rate capability (61.1 % retention at 40 A g−1) and excellent cycle stability. Furthermore, the fabricated flexible symmetric supercapacitor also displays good performance and flexibility.
A Facile Synthesis of Pechmann Dyes
Authors: Hopf Henning , Jones Peter G. , Nicolescu Alina , Bicu Elena , Birsa Lucian M. , Belei Dalila 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA facile synthesis of Pechmann dyes has been accomplished by the reaction of substituted N‐phenacyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium halides with dimethyl maleate in the presence of DBU. Based on a related 4‐DMAP elimination product and an isolated monolactone intermediate a reaction mechanism has been proposed. The scope of this synthetic method is determined by the availability of α‐haloaroyl or heteroaroyl derivatives. DBU=1,8‐diazabicycloundec‐7‐ene, DMAP=4‐dimethylaminopyridine.
Clinical Utility and Prognostic Significance of Measuring Troponin I Levels in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Room With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Gupta Kamal , Pillarisetti Jayasree , Biria Mazda , Pescetto Micah , Abu‐Salah Tareq M. , Annapureddy Chandra , Ryschon Kay , Dawn Buddhadeb , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical significance of mildly elevated troponins in patients presenting to the emergency room (ER) with atrial fibrillation (AF) is not well understood.HypothesisWe hypothesized that mildly elevated troponin in these patients is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.MethodsIn a multi‐center, retrospective study, 662 patients with AF were divided into 3 groups based on troponin levels: group 1, mildly elevated; group 2, normal; and group 3, troponin not measured. Primary outcome was the combined endpoint of all‐cause mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) at one year.ResultsLevels of TnI were measured in 503 (76%) patients. They were elevated in 220 patients (33%, group 1; mean, 0.56 ng/mL), normal in 283 patients (43%, group 2), and not measured in 159 patients (24%, group 3). Significantly more cardiac testing was done at index hospitalization in group 1 (50%) compared with groups 2 and 3 (28% and 29%, P ≤ 0.001) and in the following year (29%, vs 20% and 17%, P = 0.02). Group 1 had more positive tests (62%) compared with groups 2 and 3 (25% and 43%, P ≤ 0.001). Group 1 had a significantly higher occurrence of the primary endpoint (22%, vs 10% and 15%, P = 0.002), driven primarily by a higher incidence of MI in group 1 (7%, vs 1% and 2%, P = 0.001).ConclusionsTroponin levels are routinely checked in a majority of patients presenting to the emergency department with AF. Even mildly elevated TnI is associated with a greater incidence of coronary artery disease on diagnostic testing and a higher 1‐year incidence of MI.
A nodes scheduling model based on Markov chain prediction for big streaming data analysis
Authors: Zhang Qingchen , Chen Zhikui , Yang Laurence T. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryStreaming data analysis is an important part of big data processing. However, streaming data is difficult to be analyzed and processed in real time because of the rapid data arriving speed and huge size of data set in stream model. The paper proposes a nodes scheduling model based on Markov chain prediction for analyzing big streaming data in real time by following three steps: (i) construct data state transition graph using Markov chain to predict the varying trend of big streaming data; (ii) choose appropriate cloud computing nodes to process big streaming data depending on the predicted result of the data state transition graph; and (iii) assign big streaming data to these computing nodes using the load balancing theory, which ensures that all subtasks are accomplished synchronously. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed scheduling algorithm can fast process big streaming data effectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The chicken left right organizer has nonmotile cilia which are lost in a stage‐dependent manner in the talpid3 ciliopathy
Authors: Stephen Louise A. , Johnson Edward J. , Davis Gemma M. , McTeir Lynn , Pinkham Jamie , Jaberi Neema , Davey Megan G. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryMotile cilia are an essential component of the mouse, zebrafish, and Xenopus laevis Left Right Organizers, generating nodal flow and allowing the reception and transduction of mechanosensory signals. Nonmotile primary cilia are also an important component of the Left Right Organizer's chemosensory mechanism. It has been proposed in the chicken that signaling in Hensen's node, the Left Right Organizer of the chicken, is independent of cilia, based on a lack of evidence of motile cilia or nodal flow. It is speculated that the talpid3 chicken mutant, which has normal left–right patterning despite lacking cilia at many stages of development, is proof of this hypothesis. Here, we examine the evidence for cilia in Hensen's node and find that although cilia are present; they are likely to be immotile and incapable of generating nodal flow. Furthermore, we find that early planar cell polarity patterning and ciliogenesis is normal in early talpid3 chicken embryos. We conclude that patterning and development of the early talpid3 chicken is normal, but not necessarily independent of cilia. Although it appears that Hensen's node does not require motile cilia or the generation of motile flow, there may remain a requirement for cilia in the transduction of SHH signaling. genesis 52:600–613, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Genesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Welded end‐slot connection and debonding layers for buckling‐restrained braces
Authors: Tsai Keh‐Chyuan , Wu An‐Chien , Wei Chih‐Yu , Lin Pao‐Chun , Chuang Ming‐Chieh , Yu Yi‐Jer 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYThe debonding mechanism has a significant effect on the performance of a buckling‐restrained brace (BRB). In this paper, a method for estimating the compression strength adjustment factor for any given BRB core strain is presented. Experimental investigations were conducted on four BRBs to examine the efficiency of four different debonding materials in reducing the difference between the cyclic peak compression and tension. Test results indicate that chloroprene rubber is very easy to install and very effective in minimizing the difference between the compressive and tensile capacities. The excellent performance of 13 full‐scale welded end‐slot BRBs (WES‐BRBs) is illustrated through experiments. Cyclic loading test results of a 12.5‐m long jumbo WES‐BRB reveal that its peak compressive strength exceeds 16,800 kN and its maximum core strain reaches 0.035. All WES‐BRBs show satisfactory performance with a very stable hysteresis response, modest peak compressive to tensile strength ratio, and very predictable axial stiffness. These specimens sustain a cumulative plastic deformation of greater than 400 times the yield deformation. The hysteresis responses can be satisfactorily predicted by using a two‐surface plasticity analytical model. Advantages of the welded end‐slot connections are also presented through a discussion on the effects of the BRB yield region length ratio on the effective stiffness, the yield story drift, and the core strain level. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemoradiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Takenaka Yukinori , Cho Hironori , Nakahara Susumu , Yamamoto Yoshifumi , Yasui Toshimichi , Inohara Hidenori 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe standard treatment for advanced external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is subtotal temporal bone resection and postoperative radiation therapy (RT), whereas chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is used in some institutions to improve patient prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CRT in external auditory canal SCC treatment.MethodsMeta‐analyses of external auditory canal SCC studies were performed. We extracted 5‐year overall survival rates and number of patients for aggregate patient data, and types of treatment and outcomes for individual patient data.ResultsThe 5‐year overall survival rate of 752 patients was 57%. In the individual patient data meta‐analysis, the 5‐year overall survival rates of patients who received surgery ± RT, preoperative CRT, definitive CRT, and postoperative CRT were 53.5%, 85.7%, 43.6%, and 0%, respectively.ConclusionOur data suggest that preoperative CRT may improve the survival of surgically treated patients with external auditory canal SCC and that definitive CRT may be equivalent to surgical resection. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 1073–1080, 2015
Two‐dimensional flow response to tidal fluctuation in a heterogeneous aquifer‐aquitard system
Authors: Wang Quanrong , Zhan Hongbin , Tang Zhonghua 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn alluvial coastal aquifers, finer sediments are preferentially deposited along the downstream direction, so the hydraulic conductivity is generally heterogeneous and changes with distance from the coastline. To investigate the influence of aquifer heterogeneity on seawater‐groundwater interaction, a new two‐dimensional model characterising groundwater flow in an aquifer‐aquitard system was developed assuming that the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer linearly increases with the distance from the coastline along the inland direction. A closed‐form analytical solution was derived using the separation‐of‐variables method. Comparing the new solution with the numerical solution by comsol Multiphysics (Sweden) based on the finite‐element method, one can see that the new solution agreed with the numerical solution very well except at the early time. We found that both aquitard leakance and the heterogeneity factor (b) could result in the propagation bias. The propagation bias represents the inconsistency between the theoretical calculation and the observed strong attenuation and small time lag between the head and tide fluctuations. The attenuation decreased with perpendicular distance from the coastline (x‐axis), whereas the time lag increased with distance along the x‐axis. The relationship between the time lag and the distance along the x‐axis seemed to be linear when b was 0.001 m−1, whereas it obeyed a power function when b was greater than 0.01 m−1. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Relationship Between Vitamin A and Risk of Fracture: Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Wu Ai-Min , Huang Chao-Qun , Lin Zhong-Ke , Tian Nai-Feng , Ni Wen-Fei , Wang Xiang-Yang , Xu Hua-Zi , Chi Yong-Long 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Osteoporotic fracture is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and is a challenging global health problem. Previous reports of the relation between vitamin A intake or blood retinol and risk of fracture were inconsistent. We searched Medline and Embase to assess the effects of vitamin A (or retinol or beta-carotene but not vitamin A metabolites) on risk of hip and total fracture. Only prospective studies were included. We pooled data with a random effects meta-analysis with adjusted relative risk (adj.RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We used Q statistic and I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity and Egger's test to assess publication bias. Eight vitamin A (or retinol or beta-carotene) intake studies (283,930 participants) and four blood retinol level prospective studies (8725 participants) were included. High intake of vitamin A and retinol were shown to increase risk of hip fracture (adj.RR [95% CI] = 1.29 [1.07, 1.57] and 1.40 [1.03, 1.91], respectively), whereas beta-carotene intake was not found to increase the risk of hip fracture (adj.RR [95% CI] = 0.82 [0.59, 1.14]). Both high or low level of blood retinol was shown to increase the risk of hip fracture (adj.RR [95% CI] = 1.87 [1.31, 2.65] and 1.56 [1.09, 2.22], respectively). The risk of total fracture does not differ significantly by level of vitamin A (or retinol) intake or by blood retinol level. Dose-response meta-analysis shows a U-shaped relationship between serum retinol level and hip fracture risk. Our meta-analysis suggests that blood retinol level is a double-edged sword for risk of hip fracture. To avoid the risk of hip fracture caused by too low or too high a level of retinol concentration, we suggest that intake of beta-carotene (a provitamin A), which should be converted to retinol in blood, may be better than intake of retinol from meat, which is directly absorbed into blood after intake. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Suppression of osteoblast toll‐like receptor 2 signaling by endothelin‐1
Authors: Suzaki Ai , Komine‐Aizawa Shihoko , Hayakawa Satoshi 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTPeripheral endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) levels are increased in chronic systemic disorders such as congestive cardiac failure, diabetes and chronic renal failure. Bone infections are also associated with poor prognoses in these conditions. In the present study, we examined the alterations in Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling induced by ET‐1 in an in vitro osteoblast cell model. The TLR2‐positive murine osteoblast cell line MC3T3‐E1 was treated with heat‐killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKLM), a TLR2 ligand, in the presence or absence of ET‐1. We examined TLR2 expression, intranuclear NF‐κB phosphorylation and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) production. ET‐1 suppressed cell surface expression of TLR2, NF‐κB phosphorylation and IL‐6 production. As TLR2 represents an important mechanism by which osteoblasts recognize bacterial pathogens, a continuously elevated ET‐1 status may impair pathogenic recognition by osteoblasts and consequently affect bone metabolism during infections. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:910–914, 2014.
Composing Well‐Defined Stimulus‐Responsive Materials Through Postpolymerization Modification Reactions
Authors: Roth Peter J. 
Published: April 2014

Postpolymerization modification—the installation of functional groups into a premade, reactive polymeric precursor—is emerging as an advantageous synthetic strategy toward tailored materials. In this article, the preparation of environmentally sensitive, “smart,” polymers by virtue of postpolymerization modification is presented. The underlying fundamentals of different types of stimulus‐responsiveness are highlighted with an emphasis on thermo­responsiveness, encompassing lower and upper critical solution temperature (LCST and UCST) behavior. Using a range of postpolymerization modifications as examples, properties imparted through incorporation of specific functional groups and their structure–property relations are discussed. Strategies for an appropriate choice of functionality in order to obtain well‐defined materials with custom‐made behavior are presented.
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Alginate hydrogel matrix stiffness influences the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles
Authors: Brito I.R. , Silva C.M.G. , Duarte A.B.G. , Lima I.M.T. , Rodrigues G.Q. , Rossetto R. , Sales A.D. , Lobo C.H. , Bernuci M.P. , Rosa‐e‐Silva A.C.J.S. , Campello C.C. , Xu M. , Figueiredo J.R. 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYThis study examined caprine follicular development in different concentrations of alginate matrix to determine the optimal conditions for culture. Caprine preantral follicles were cultured in a two‐dimensional system (control) or a three‐dimensional encapsulated system in 0.25%, 0.5%, or 1% alginate (ALG 0.25, ALG 0.5, and ALG 1, respectively). A higher percentage of morphologically normal follicles developed in ALG 0.5 and ALG 1 than in ALG 0.25 or the control (P < 0.05). The rate of antrum formation, however, was higher in ALG 0.25 than in ALG 0.5 and ALG 1 conditions (P < 0.05), but similar to the control. Follicles cultured in ALG 0.25 had higher growth rates and meiotic resumption than those cultured in ALG 0.5, ALG 1, or the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, follicles cultured in ALG 0.25 had higher levels of estradiol and progesterone than those cultured in ALG 0.5, ALG 1, or the control, as well as higher levels of CYP19A1 and HSD3B mRNA. In conclusion, a three‐dimensional system that uses ALG 0.25 fosters the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles and increases the rate of meiotic resumption. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 636–645, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.