bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment Predictive Factors for Hepatitis C Therapy Outcome: Relevance of Anti-E1E2 Antibodies Compared to Ip-10 and Il28B Genotypes
Authors: Arnaud Clémence , Pradat Pierre , Spaziante Martina , Berthillon Pascale , Maynard Marianne , Taliani Gloria , Chemin Isabelle , Trépo Christian , Petit Marie-Anne 
Published: August 2013

Background Unique serum anti-E1E2 antibodies were shown to be associated with spontaneous recovery or predictive of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving pegylated interferon/ ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) therapy. The objectives were to establish the relationship between pretreatment anti-E1E2 titres and HCV RNA kinetics during PEG-IFN/RBV therapy, and to examine whether the combined determination of interleukin (IL)28B rs12979860 and rs8099917, pretreatment inducible protein (IP)-10 levels and/or anti-E1E2 improved the prediction of SVR. Methods Sera from 26 treatment-naive consecutive HCV patients treated with PEG-IFN/RBV for 48 weeks were analysed. Serum anti-E1E2 titres and pretreatment IP-10 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The IL28B variants were determined using genotyping real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Viral decline was measured at weeks (W) 4 and 12 and SVR assessed 6 months after the end of therapy. Results Baseline anti-E1E2 titres were correlated with HCV RNA decline at W4 and W12 and were highly predictive of SVR with 100% of patients negative for anti-E1E2 failing to achieve SVR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicate that the best prediction of SVR (AUC 0.990) was obtained with the combination of anti-E1E2 and IP-10 levels. Predictive values were better than those obtained with IP-10 alone or in combination with IL28B variants. Conclusions Pretreatment serum anti-E1E2 response predicts HCV RNA clearance kinetics and treatment outcome. The combination of anti-E1E2 and IP-10 significantly improved the prediction of treatment response. This warrants further investigation and validation on larger cohorts of patients in the context of new therapeutic strategies.
Clinical and laboratory predictors of outcome in cerebral malaria in suburban Nigeria
Authors: Oluwayemi Oludare Isaac , Brown Biobele Jotham , Oyedeji Olusola Adetunji , Adegoke Samuel Ademola , Adebami Olusegun Joseph , Oyedeji Gabriel Adebami 
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Cerebral malaria (CM) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among children living in the tropics. The present study was conducted to update the knowledge on cerebral malaria in children. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted between June 2009 and February 2010. Consecutive children who met the clinical and parasitological diagnostic criteria for CM were admitted and studied. Demographic, essential history, clinical examination findings and laboratory results were recorded and analyzed. Outcome in survivors (presence or absence of neurological deficits) were determined at discharge. Results: Out of 1,202 children admitted during the study period, 66 (5.5%) had CM: 40 boys and 26 girls. Ages ranged from 2 to 128 months (mean: 41.6±27.1months). Fever (100%), coma (100%) and convulsion (89%) were the commonest presenting symptoms, while unsteady gait, speech, auditory and visual impairment were the commonest neurological deficits at discharge. Fifty-seven (86.4%) patients survived while nine (13.6%) died. Of the 57 survivors, 35 (61.4%) recovered completely, while 22 (38.6%) had neurological deficits at discharge. Identified clinical and laboratory predictors of mortality in CM included: age less than 3 years (p =0.031), abnormal breathing pattern (p = 0.023), absent corneal reflex (p = 0.005), absent pupillary reflex (p = 0.047), retinal haemorrhage (p = 0.029), hypoglycaemia (p = 0.002) and leucocytosis (p = 0.040). Conclusion: CM is associated with high mortality and serious sequelae. Affected children should be given proactive management and monitored closely to reduce the frequency of adverse outcomes.
The Tetraspanin CD63 Is Required for Efficient IgE-Mediated Mast Cell Degranulation and Anaphylaxis
Authors: Kraft Stefan , Jouvin Marie-Hélène , Kulkarni Nitin , Kissing Sandra , Morgan Ellen S. , Dvorak Ann M. , Schröder Bernd , Saftig Paul , Kinet Jean-Pierre 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Mast cell (MC) activation through the high-affinity IgE receptor FcεRI leads to the release of mediators involved in immediate-type allergic reactions. Although Abs against the tetraspanins CD63 and CD81 inhibit FcεRI-induced MC degranulation, the intrinsic role of these molecules in FcεRI-induced MC activation is unknown. In MCs, CD63 is expressed at the cell surface and in lysosomes (particularly secretory lysosomes that contain allergic mediators). In this study, we investigated the role of CD63 in MC using a CD63 knockout mouse model. CD63-deficiency did not affect in vivo MC numbers and tissue distribution. Bone marrow–derived MC developed normally in the absence of CD63 protein. However, CD63-deficient bone marrow–derived MC showed a significant decrease in FcεRI-mediated degranulation, but not PMA/ionomycin-induced degranulation, as shown by β-hexosaminidase release assays. The secretion of TNF-α, which is both released from granules and synthesized de novo upon MC activation, was also decreased. IL-6 secretion and production of the lipid mediator leukotriene C4 were unaffected. There were no ultrastructural differences in granule content and morphology, late endosomal/lysosomal marker expression, FcεRI-induced global tyrosine phosphorylation, and Akt phosphorylation. Finally, local reconstitution in genetically MC-deficient Kitw/w-v mice was unaffected by the absence of CD63. However, the sites reconstituted with CD63-deficient MC developed significantly attenuated cutaneous anaphylactic reactions. These findings demonstrate that the absence of CD63 results in a significant decrease of MC degranulation, which translates into a reduction of acute allergic reactions in vivo, thus identifying CD63 as an important component of allergic inflammation.
Targeting of Autoantigens to DEC205+ Dendritic Cells In Vivo Suppresses Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Mice
Authors: Ring Sabine , Maas Michael , Nettelbeck Dirk M. , Enk Alexander H. , Mahnke Karsten 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The dendritic and epithelial cell receptor with a m.w. of 205 kDa (DEC205) is expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) and facilitates Ag presentation. After injection of Ags coupled to Abs specific for DEC205 into mice, Ag presentation occurs by nonactivated DCs, which leads to induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). To test this system for tolerance induction in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), we created single-chain fragment variables (scFv) specific for DEC205 and fused the scFv to the self-Ag myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG; scFv DEC:MOG). An anti–β-galactosidase scFv:MOG fusion protein (scFv GL117:MOG) served as isotype control. After staining of DCs in vitro with purified scFv DEC:MOG, binding to DCs and colocalization with MHC class II was apparent, whereas isotype controls did not bind. We next injected scFv DEC:MOG into mice and observed elevated numbers of highly activated, IL-10–producing CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs (17% of CD4) in spleens, as compared with isotype controls and uninjected mice (12% of CD4). Furthermore, DCs isolated from scFv DEC:MOG-injected animals produced significantly increased levels of TGF-β. Most importantly, when EAE was induced in scFv DEC:MOG-injected mice, 90% of the mice were protected from EAE, whereas all mice in the isotype controls (scFv GL117:MOG) experienced development of EAE. When applying scFv DEC:MOG to mice that had already experienced EAE symptoms, abrogation of the disease in 90% of the animals was apparent, whereas all animals in the control groups experienced development of severe EAE. Thus, these data indicate that targeting of MOG to “steady-state” DCs in vivo may provide a tool to prevent and to treat EAE by a DC/Treg-driven mechanism.
Assessing the impact of sea-level rise on a vulnerable coastal community in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Appeaning Addo Kwasi , Adeyemi Michael 
Published: August 2013

Climate change and its associated sea-level rise are expected to significantly affect vulnerable coastal communities. Although the extent of the impact will be localised, its assessment will adopt a monitoring approach that applies globally. The topography of the beach, the type of geological material and the level of human intervention will determine the extent of the area to be flooded and the rate at which the shoreline will move inland. Gleefe, a coastal community in Ghana, has experienced frequent flooding in recent times due to the increasing occurrence of storm surge and sea-level rise. This study used available geospatial data and field measurements to determine how the beach topography has contributed to the incidence of flooding at Gleefe. The topography is generally low-lying. Sections of the beach have elevations of around 1 m, which allows seawater to move inland during very high tide. Accelerated sea-level rise as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will destroy homes of the inhabitants and inundate the Densu wetlands behind the beach. Destruction of infrastructure will render the inhabitants homeless, whilst flooding of the wetlands will destroy the habitats of migratory birds and some endangered wildlife species such as marine turtle. Effective adaptation measures should be adopted to protect this very important coastal environment, the ecology of the wetlands and the livelihoods of the community dwellers.
Sparse leaky‐LMS algorithm for system identification and its convergence analysis
Authors: Salman Mohammad Shukri 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYIn this paper, a novel adaptive filter for sparse systems is proposed. The proposed algorithm incorporates a log‐sum penalty into the cost function of the standard leaky least mean square (LMS) algorithm, which results in a shrinkage in the update equation. This shrinkage, in turn, enhances the performance of the adaptive filter, especially, when the majority of unknown system coefficients are zero. Convergence analysis of the proposed algorithm is presented, and a stability criterion for the algorithm is derived. This algorithm is given a name of zero‐attracting leaky‐LMS (ZA‐LLMS) algorithm. The performance of the proposed ZA‐LLMS algorithm is compared to those of the standard leaky‐LMS and ZA‐LMS algorithms in sparse system identification settings, and it shows superior performance compared to the aforementioned algorithms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Boron‐Doped Nanocrystalline Diamond Microelectrode Arrays Monitor Cardiac Action Potentials
Authors: Maybeck Vanessa , Edgington Robert , Bongrain Alexandre , Welch Joseph O. , Scorsone Emanuel , Bergonzo Philippe , Jackman Richard B. , Offenhäusser Andreas 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe expansion of diamond‐based electronics in the area of biological interfacing has not been as thoroughly explored as applications in electrochemical sensing. However, the biocompatibility of diamond, large safe electrochemical window, stability, and tunable electronic properties provide opportunities to develop new devices for interfacing with electrogenic cells. Here, the fabrication of microelectrode arrays (MEAs) with boron‐doped nanocrystalline diamond (BNCD) electrodes and their interfacing with cardiomyocyte‐like HL‐1 cells to detect cardiac action potentials are presented. A nonreductive means of structuring doped and undoped diamond on the same substrate is shown. The resulting BNCD electrodes show high stability under mechanical stress generated by the cells. It is shown that by fabricating the entire surface of the MEA with NCD, in patterns of conductive doped, and isolating undoped regions, signal detection may be improved up to four‐fold over BNCD electrodes passivated with traditional isolators.
Prenatal presentation and postnatal evolution of a patient with Jansen metaphyseal dysplasia with a novel missense mutation in PTH1R
Authors: Savoldi Gianfranco , Izzi Claudia , Signorelli Marino , Bondioni Maria Pia , Romani Chiara , Lanzi Gaetana , Moratto Daniele , Verdoni Lucio , Pinotti Moira , Prefumo Federico , Superti‐Furga Andrea , Pilotta Alba 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWave‐shaped ribs were detected at prenatal ultrasound in a 20+1 week female fetus. At birth, skeletal radiographs showed marked hypomineralization and suggested hypophosphatasia. However, elevated blood calcium and alkaline phosphatase excluded hypophosphatasia and raised the possibility of Jansen metaphyseal dysplasia. Molecular analysis of the PTH/PTHrP receptor gene (PTH1R) showed heterozygosity for a previously undescribed transversion variant (c.1373T>A), which predicts p.Ile458Lys. In vitro evaluation of wild type and mutant PTH/PTHrP receptors supported the pathogenic role of the p.Ile458Lys substitution, and confirmed the diagnosis of Jansen metaphyseal dysplasia. This disorder may present prenatally with wavy ribs and in the newborn with hypomineralization, and may therefore be confused with hypophosphatasia. The mottled metaphyseal lesions typically associated with this disease appear only in childhood. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanoelectronics Meets Biology: From New Nanoscale Devices for Live‐Cell Recording to 3D Innervated Tissues
Authors: Duan Xiaojie , Lieber Charles M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractHigh spatiotemporal resolution interfaces between electrical sensors and biological systems, from single live cells to tissues, is crucial for many areas, including fundamental biophysical studies as well as medical monitoring and intervention. Herein, we summarize recent progress in the development and application of novel nanoscale devices for intracellular electrical recording of action potentials and the effort of merging electronic and biological systems seamlessly in three dimensions by using macroporous nanoelectronic scaffolds. The uniqueness of these nanoscale devices for minimally invasive, large‐scale, high spatial resolution, and three‐dimensional neural activity mapping are highlighted.
Three‐Dimensional MoS2 Hierarchical Nanoarchitectures Anchored into a Carbon Layer as Graphene Analogues with Improved Lithium Ion Storage Performance
Authors: Zhao Xinyu , Hu Changwen , Cao Minhua 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMuch attention has recently been focused on the synthesis and application of graphene analogues of layered nanomaterials owing to their better electrochemical performance than the bulk counterparts. We synthesized graphene analogue of 3D MoS2 hierarchical nanoarchitectures through a facile hydrothermal route. The graphene‐like MoS2 nanosheets are uniformly dispersed in an amorphous carbon matrix produced in situ by hydrothermal carbonization. The interlaminar distance between the MoS2 nanosheets is about 1.38 nm, which is far larger than that of bulk MoS2 (0.62 nm). Such a layered architecture is especially beneficial for the intercalation and deintercalation of Li+. When tested as a lithium‐storage anode material, the graphene‐like MoS2 hierarchical nanoarchitectures exhibit high specific capacity, superior rate capability, and enhanced cycling performance. This material shows a high reversible capacity of 813.5 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1000 mA g−1 after 100 cycles and a specific capacity as high as 600 mAh g−1 could be retained even at a current density of 4000 mA g−1. The results further demonstrate that constructing 3D graphene‐like hierarchical nanoarchitectures can effectively improve the electrochemical performance of electrode materials.
CdTe1‐xSex/Cd0.5Zn0.5S core/shell quantum dots: core composition and property
Authors: Yang Ping , Cao Yongqiang , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Ruili , Liu Ning , Zhang Yulan 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTAlloy CdTe1‐xSex quantum dots (QDs) have been fabricated by an organic route using Cd, Te and Se precursors in a mixture of trioctylamine and octadecylphosphonic acid at 280 °C. The variation of photoluminescence (PL) peak wavelength of the CdTe1‐xSex QDs compared with CdTe QDs confirmed the formation of an alloy structure. The Se component drastically affected the stability of CdTe1‐xSex QDs. A Cd0.5Zn0.5S shell coating on CdTe1‐xSex cores was carried out using oleic acid as a capping agent. CdTe1‐xSex/Cd0.5Zn0.5S core/shell QDs revealed dark red PL while a yellow PL peak was observed for the CdTe1‐xSex cores. The PL efficiency of the core/shell QDs was drastically increased (less than 1% for the cores and up to 65% for the core/shell QDs). The stability of QDs in various buffer solutions was investigated. Core/shell QDs can be used for biological applications because of their high stability, tunable PL and high PL efficiency. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of pure and Li+ activated Alq3 complexes for green and blue organic light emitting diodes and display devices
Authors: Bhagat S. A. , Borghate S. V. , Thejo Kalyani N. , Dhoble S. J. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTPure and Li+‐doped Alq3 complexes were synthesized by simple precipitation method at room temperature, maintaining the stoichiometric ratio. These complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet‐visible absorption and Fourier transform infrared and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals the crystalline nature of the synthesized complexes, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirm the molecular structure, the completion of quinoline ring formation and presence of quinoline structure in the metal complex. Ultraviolet‐visible and PL spectra revealed that Li+ activated Alq3 complexes exhibit the highest intensity in comparison to pure Alq3 phosphor. Thus, Li+ enhances PL emission intensity when doped into Alq3 phosphor. The excitation spectra lie in the range of 383–456 nm. All the synthesized complexes other than Liq give green emission, while Liq gives blue emission with enhanced intensity. Thus, he synthesized phosphors are the best suitable candidates for green‐ and blue‐emitting organic light emitting diode, PL liquid‐crystal display and solid‐state lighting applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly Recyclable Self‐Supported Chiral Catalysts for the Enantioselective α‐Hydrazination of β‐Ketoesters
Authors: Torres Maria , Maisse‐François Aline , Bellemin‐Laponnaz Stéphane 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMultitopic chiral copper complexes based on bis(oxazoline) have been applied in the enantioselective α‐hydrazination of β‐ketoesters. High yields and excellent enantioselectivities were obtained. Furthermore, the catalytic systems have been recovered in up to ten cycles without loss of activity or enantioselectivity. The formation of coordination polymers [polytopic ligand–Cu]n has been confirmed by UV/Vis titrations. Significant metal leaching was observed on increasing the topicity of the ligand. The nature of the catalyst was studied by nonlinear effect experiments.
Electrosteric Activation by using Ion‐Tagged Prolines: A Combined Experimental and Computational Investigation
Authors: Bottoni Andrea , Lombardo Marco , Miscione Gian Pietro , Montroni Elisa , Quintavalla Arianna , Trombini Claudio 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe have recently proposed the empirical concept of electrosteric activation to explain the improved catalytic performances observed for a series of ion‐tagged catalysts compared to the parent tag‐free structures. Here, the results of a combined experimental and computational investigation on the asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and benzaldehyde, catalyzed by a family of tag‐free and ionic‐tagged prolines, are presented. Whereas diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities remain very high in all cases examined, the ion‐tagged catalyst cis‐4‐(2‐(3‐methyl‐imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)acetoxy)‐proline bistriflimide, cis‐7, displays a remarkably high activity compared to its tagged trans analogue and to the tag‐free catalysts cis and trans‐4‐(2‐phenylacetoxy)‐proline 8. A computational investigation of ion‐tagged and tag‐free model systems shows that the transition state involving cis‐7 is stabilized by a complex interplay of hydrogen bonds (in particular, those involving the counter ion oxygen atoms and the hydrogen atoms of the ionic tag), π‐stacking interactions involving the aldehyde phenyl ring, and similar π interactions between the proline carboxyl group and the imidazole ring. The overall effect of these interactions accounts for the observed enhanced activity.
A β‐Enaminone‐Initiated Multicomponent Domino Reaction for the Synthesis of Indoloquinolizines and Benzoquinolizines from Acyclic Precursors
Authors: Suryavanshi Padmakar A. , Sridharan Vellaisamy , Menéndez J. Carlos 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)‐catalyzed sequential multicomponent reaction between tryptamine, α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, and β‐dicarbonyl compounds affords highly substituted indolo[2,3‐a]quinolizines in a single synthetic operation. Two rings are generated through the creation of two CC and two CN bonds by a domino process comprising initial β‐enaminone formation, followed by individual Michael addition, 6‐exo‐trig cyclization, iminium formation, and Pictet–Spengler steps. Furthermore, the reaction is diastereoselective and affords exclusively compounds with a trans relationship between the H‐2 and H‐12b protons. The use of amines bearing a less nucleophilic side chain aromatic ring (5‐bromotryptamine, 3,4‐dimethoxyphenylethylamine) prevents the Pictet–Spengler final step and leads to N‐indolylethyl or N‐phenylethyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines, which are cyclized to the corresponding indolo[2,3‐a]quinolizines or benzo[a]quinolizines in the presence of HCl in methanol/water. Treatment of the fused quinolizine derivatives with sodium triacetoxyborohydride led to the corresponding indolo[2,3‐a]quinolizidines or benzo[a]quinolizidines, possessing four stereogenic centers, as mixtures of two diastereomers.
Aerobic Iron‐Based Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Enables Efficient Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Coumestrol‐Based Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Authors: Kshirsagar Umesh A. , Parnes Regev , Goldshtein Hagit , Ofir Rivka , Zarivach Raz , Pappo Doron 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAn iron‐based cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) approach was applied for the diversity‐oriented synthesis of coumestrol‐based selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), representing the first application of CDC chemistry in natural product synthesis. The first stage of the two‐step synthesis of coumestrol involved a modified aerobic oxidative cross‐coupling between ethyl 2‐(2,4‐dimethoxybenzoyl)acetate and 3‐methoxyphenol, with FeCl3 (10 mol %) as the catalyst. The benzofuran coupling product was then subjected to sequential deprotection and lactonization steps, affording the natural product in 59 % overall yield. Based on this new methodology other coumestrol analogues were prepared, and their effects on the proliferation of the estrogen receptor (ER)‐dependent MCF‐7 and of the ER‐independent MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells were tested. As a result, new types of estrogen receptor ligands having an acetamide group instead of the 9‐hydroxyl group of coumestrol were discovered. Both 9‐acetamido‐coumestrol and 8‐acetamidocoumestrol were found more active than the natural product against estrogen‐dependent MCF‐7 breast cancer cells, with IC50 values of 30 and 9 nM, respectively.