bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and identification of chemical constituents from Origanum majorana and investigation of antiproliferative and antioxidant activities
Authors: Erenler Ramazan , Sen Ozkan , Aksit Huseyin , Demirtas Ibrahim , Yaglioglu Ayse Sahin , Elmastas Mahfuz , Telci İsa 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDOriganum majorana L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, has great potential and has been used as a folk medicine against asthma, indigestion, headache and rheumatism; in addition, the essential oils of this plant have been used widely in the food industry. Plant materials have been harvested from the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Field of Gaziosmanpasa University. Air‐dried plant materials were boiled in water, filtered, and the solvent part subsequently extracted with hexane and ethyl acetate. The chromatographic method was applied to the ethyl acetate extract to isolate bioactive secondary metabolites, the structures of which were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques: basically one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and quadrupole time‐of‐flight liquid chromatography. Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of isolated secondary metabolites were determined.RESULTS5,6,3′‐Trihydroxy‐7,8,4′‐trimethoxyflavone, hesperetin, hydroquinone, arbutin and rosmarinic acid were isolated from the water‐soluble ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts of O. majorana. Antioxidant activities of isolated compounds and water‐soluble ethyl acetate extract were investigated using assays of DPPH•, ABTS•+, reducing power and total phenolic content. Antiproliferative activities of the isolated compounds and plant extracts were investigated against C6 and HeLa cell lines using BrdU cell proliferation enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and xCELLigence assay, respectively. Both hesperetin and hydroquinone were determined to have stronger antiproliferative activities against C6 and HeLa cells than the other isolated compounds and 5‐fluorouracil.CONCLUSIONThe results showed that the extract and isolated compounds exhibited significant antioxidant activities. Hence this plant has the potential to be a natural antioxidant in the food industry and an anticancer drug. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Unroofing hepatectomy: A facilitating approach for resection of deep‐seated hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to major intrahepatic vessels in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Wu Cheng‐Chung , Shen Ching‐Hui , Liu Hsiao‐Tien , Lai Chia‐Yu , Cheng Shao‐Bin , Yu Cheng‐Chan , Wang John , Yeh Dah‐Cherng , P'eng Fang‐Ku 
Published: February 2015

Background and ObjectivesUnroofing hepatectomy, an alternative approach to remove a deep‐seated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) adjacent to major intrahepatic vessels by peel‐off technique after sacrificing the overlying noncancerous liver, may result in tumor exposure without resection margin. The aim of the study was to examine the value of this approach in cirrhotic patients.MethodsBetween 1998 and 2012, 51 cirrhotic patients underwent unroofing hepatectomy for deep‐seated newly‐diagnosed HCC adjacent to major intrahepatic vessels (group A). Another 274 cirrhotic patients with similar tumor size and without gross major vessel involvement in the same period were selected as the control cohort (group B). The patients' clinicopathological characteristics, the early and long‐term outcomes of the two groups were compared.ResultsThe HCCs in group A had a significantly higher rate of tumor encapsulation, smaller number of associated satellite nodules, and smaller amount of resected liver weight. Postoperative complication and 90‐day mortality rates were similar, but group A patients had a significant better 5‐year disease‐free (56% vs. 32%, P = 0.011) and overall survival rates (82% vs. 53%, P = 0.008).ConclusionsIn selected cirrhotic patients, unroofing hepatectomy facilitates resection of deep‐seated HCC adjacent to major intrahepatic vessels with acceptable early and long‐term results. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:396–403. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Behaviors of cavefish offer insight into developmental evolution
Authors: Yoshizawa Masato 
Published: February 2015

SUMMARYMany developmental processes have evolved through natural selection, yet in only a few cases do we understand if and how a change of developmental process produces a benefit. For example, many studies in evolutionary biology have investigated the developmental mechanisms that lead to novel structures in an animal, but only a few have addressed if these structures actually benefit the animal at the behavioral level of prey hunting and mating. As such, this review discusses an animal's behavior as the integrated functional output of its evolved morphological and physiological traits. Specifically, we focus on recent findings about the blind Mexican cavefish,Astyanax mexicanus, for which clear relationships exist between its physical traits and ecosystem. This species includes two morphotypes: an eyed surface dweller versus many conspecific types of blind cave dwellers, some of which evolved independently; all of the blind subtypes derived from eyed surface dwellers. The blind cavefish evolved under clear selection pressures: food is sparse and darkness is perpetual. Simulating the major aspects of a cave ecosystem in the laboratory is relatively easy, so we can use this species to begin resolving the relationships between evolved traits and selection pressures—relationships which are more complex for other animals models. This review discusses the recent advances in cavefish research that have helped us establish some key relationships between morphological evolution and environmental shifts.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 268–280, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A generalized predictive analysis tool for multigrid methods
Authors: Friedhoff S. , MacLachlan S. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryMultigrid and related multilevel methods are the approaches of choice for solving linear systems that result from discretization of a wide class of PDEs. A large gap, however, exists between the theoretical analysis of these algorithms and their actual performance. This paper focuses on the extension of the well‐known local mode (often local Fourier) analysis approach to a wider class of problems. The semi‐algebraic mode analysis (SAMA) proposed here couples standard local Fourier analysis approaches with algebraic computation to enable analysis of a wider class of problems, including those with strong advective character. The predictive nature of SAMA is demonstrated by applying it to the parabolic diffusion equation in one and two space dimensions, elliptic diffusion in layered media, as well as a two‐dimensional convection‐diffusion problem. These examples show that accounting for boundary conditions and heterogeneity enables accurate predictions of the short‐term and asymptotic convergence behavior for multigrid and related multilevel methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of Suzuki–Miyaura catalyst‐transfer polycondensation of AB‐type fluorene monomer using coordination‐saturated aryl Pd(II) halide complexes as initiators
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Hu Pan , Li Xiao , Zhan Hongmei , Cheng Yanxiang 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTNovel triarylamine‐based coordination‐saturated aryl Pd(II) halide complexes ligated by PEt3, PCy3, and P(o‐tol)3 were successfully synthesized by direct oxidative addition of aryl halide to the corresponding Pd(0) precursors. Suzuki–Miyaura coupling polymerization of 2‐(7‐halide‐9,9‐dioctylfluoren‐2‐yl)−1,3,2‐dioxaborinane with these Pd(II) complexes as initiators was investigated for the synthesis of poly(fluorene)s with triarylamine end group. Pd(II) complexes with PCy3 or P(o‐tol)3 exhibited catalytic activity and realized the catalyst‐transfer polycondensation at 75 °C and room temperature, respectively, while the polymerization using Pd(II) catalyst ligated by PEt3 did not proceed, which indicated that the bulky phosphine ligands could facilitate the reductive elimination and further promote the polymerization. In addition, the dimeric Pd(II) complex with P(o‐tol)3 can convert into monomeric Pd(II) intermediate with an open coordination site, which had a higher activity. The end groups of the afforded polyfluorene were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry, in which the Ar/H end groups are indicative of the catalyst‐transfer polymerization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1457–1463
Tuning salicylate‐based polymers to overcome lag time and extend release via copolymers and polymer blends
Authors: Garber Leonid , Jingar Neel , Rosario‐Meléndez Roselin , Uhrich Kathryn E. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThis work describes how physicochemical properties of salicylate‐based poly(anhydride‐esters) (PAEs) can be tuned for drug delivery and optimized by comparing copolymerization with polymer blending. These alterations reduced the lag time of drug release, while still maintaining a long‐term drug release profile. The chemical composition of the copolymers and polymer blends was determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and additional properties such as molecular weight, glass transition temperature and contact angle measurements were obtained. In vitro salicylic acid release from the copolymers and blends is studied in an environment mimicking physiological conditions. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 685–689
Quantifying Dynamic Processes in Reactive Materials: An Extended Burn Tube Test
Authors: Sullivan Kyle T. , Cervantes Octavio , Densmore John M. , Kuntz Joshua D. , Gash Alexander E. , Molitoris John D. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractA common method for measuring the reactivity of rapidly deflagrating materials has been to loosely pack a desired mixture into an approx. 10 cm long×3 mm diameter acrylic tube, ignite the material on one end, and report the observed self‐propagating flame velocity through the material. While this method can yield qualitative information, linking this to quantitative intrinsic properties, such as particle burn time, has remained challenging. In this work, we significantly redesign the traditional burn tube experiment. Between 25 and 250 mg of nanocomposite aluminum/copper oxide (Al/CuO) thermite is loosely packed into the capped end of a 1.8 m long tube, and the remainder of the tube is left unfilled. The material is ignited using a hot wire, resulting in a steadily‐propagating luminous front, which extends part, or all, of the way down the length of the tube. We suggest the behavior is a result of “reactive entrainment”, which occurs when the reaction time scale becomes longer than the characteristic momentum relaxation time scale. When this criterion is met, and when there are significant pressure gradients present or produced during the reaction, material will be entrained by the gases before and/or during the reaction; a behavior very different from conventional thermites, which use larger particle sizes. The effect of sample mass and tube diameter on propagation velocity is investigated, and we find a linear scaling with mass and a power law scaling with tube radius (r−1.3) between 1.56 and 4.76 mm radii. For several conditions, we observe the reaction complete; defined by the distance where the propagation velocity decreases to a fixed fraction of its steady value. The ratio of quench distance to propagation velocity was found to approach a constant value of 3.29±0.70 ms, which we suggest is the burn time of the Material. For the range of masses studied in this work, the burn time was found to be independent of mass, implying that it is an intrinsic particle burn time. We expect other quantitative information can be deduced from this experiment, so long as the chosen sample mass and tube dimensions allow one to observe the full extent of reaction.
Magnetoresistance and electrical resistivity of N‐doped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes at low temperatures
Authors: Ovsienko I. V. , Len T. A. , Matsuy L. Yu. , Prylutskyy Yu. I. , Berkutov I. B. , Andrievskii V. V. , Komnik Yu. F. , Mirzoiev I. G. , Grechnev G. E. , Kolesnichenko Yu. A. , Hayn R. , Scharff P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe magnetoresistance and electrical resistivity of nitrogen‐doped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (N‐MWCNTs) were studied in the temperature range of 1.6–100.3 and 1.6–286 K, respectively, using a standard four‐probe technique. The possible mechanisms of the observed effects are discussed in detail.
Synchronization of a class of nonlinear network flow systems
Authors: Liu Shuai , Xie Lihua , Zhang Sen 
Published: February 2015

SummaryIn this paper, we consider the synchronization of a class of nonlinear network flow systems. Motivated by air distribution problem in air conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) systems, we propose a class of coupled nonlinear multi‐agent systems that can model a wide class of network flow systems, including air flow in ACMV systems, water flow in irrigation systems, traffic flow in transportation systems, and so on. Then we consider the synchronization problem for the class of nonlinear multi‐agent systems and propose cooperative controllers for the system. Based on graph theory, we derive conditions on the initial values of the state and the control input such that synchronization can be achieved. An application to air ventilation is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the cooperative controllers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From hillslope to stream: methods to investigate subsurface connectivity
Authors: Blume Theresa , van Meerveld H.J. (Ilja) 
Published: February 2015

Hydrologic connectivity is the linkage of separate regions of a catchment via water flow. Knowledge of hillslope–stream connectivity (both at the surface and in the subsurface) is essential for understanding and predicting runoff responses and streamwater quality. Connectivity can be very dynamic: hillslopes may connect to the stream only during certain events or seasons. While surface connectivity is often discussed, particularly in the context of sediment transport, subsurface connectivity is more difficult to describe and assess. This difficulty has led to a wide variety in methodologies that are used in various contexts. Field approaches have focused on intensive monitoring of processes on the hillslope or the fingerprint of connectivity in the stream. Combining experimental studies with modeling allows for testing of hypotheses with respect to thresholds and controls on connectivity, and extrapolation from the hillslope scale to the catchment scale. However, as most modeling approaches are based on datasets from a few intensively studied hillslopes, this carries the inherent risk of oversimplification because it assumes that the observed hillslope responses are representative for the catchment or even the region. Focussed efforts on catchment scale assessment of hillslope–stream connectivity, as well as site intercomparisons and the search for similarity measures may allow us to capture the wider picture of the mechanisms and factors that control hillslope–stream connectivity, and its effects on flow and transport at the catchment scale. This overview focuses on how hillslope–stream connectivity has been studied and describes the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of the different methods. WIREs Water 2015, 2:177–198. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1071This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes
Science of Water > Water Quality
Specification of the somatic musculature in Drosophila
Authors: Dobi Krista C. , Schulman Victoria K. , Baylies Mary K. 
Published: February 2015

The somatic muscle system formed during Drosophila embryogenesis is required for larvae to hatch, feed, and crawl. This system is replaced in the pupa by a new adult muscle set, responsible for activities such as feeding, walking, and flight. Both the larval and adult muscle systems are comprised of distinct muscle fibers to serve these specific motor functions. In this way, the Drosophila musculature is a valuable model for patterning within a single tissue: while all muscle cells share properties such as the contractile apparatus, properties such as size, position, and number of nuclei are unique for a particular muscle. In the embryo, diversification of muscle fibers relies first on signaling cascades that pattern the mesoderm. Subsequently, the combinatorial expression of specific transcription factors leads muscle fibers to adopt particular sizes, shapes, and orientations. Adult muscle precursors (AMPs), set aside during embryonic development, proliferate during the larval phases and seed the formation of the abdominal, leg, and flight muscles in the adult fly. Adult muscle fibers may either be formed de novo from the fusion of the AMPs, or are created by the binding of AMPs to an existing larval muscle. While less is known about adult muscle specification compared to the larva, expression of specific transcription factors is also important for its diversification. Increasingly, the mechanisms required for the diversification of fly muscle have found parallels in vertebrate systems and mark Drosophila as a robust model system to examine questions about how diverse cell types are generated within an organism. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:357–375. doi: 10.1002/wdev.182This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms
Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation
Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis Signaling by the Upregulation of PPARγ Coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α) in C2C12 Cells
Authors: Kim Yoo , Park Yeonhwa 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAlong with its effect on body fat reduction, dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to improve physical activity and endurance capacity in mice. It has been suggested these effects may in part be due to physiological changes in skeletal muscle, however, the mode of action is not completely understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relevant mechanisms of CLA isomers for mitochondrial biogenesis, one of the most important adaptive responses in skeletal muscle. Both cis‐9,trans‐11 (c9,t11) and trans‐10,cis‐12 (t10,c12) CLA isomers increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α), however, only the t10,c12 isomer, but not c9,t11, increased phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) compared to the control. Among downstream biomarkers of PGC‐1α, the CLA mixed isomer enhanced the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐δ (PPARδ). Both c9,t11 and t10,c12 CLA isomers increased expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF‐1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), while the c9,t11 increased expression of cytochrome c (Cyt C) and t10,c12 CLA increased expression of voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC), respectively. Both CLA isomers significantly increased mitochondrial DNA copy number compared to that of control. These findings suggest that the individual CLA isomers potentiate mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC‐1α‐NRF‐1‐Tfam signaling cascade, although downstream regulation may be isomer dependent.
Analysis of ascitic fluid lactoferrin levels in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis after systemic antibiotic treatment
Authors: Wu Chi‐Huan , Chen Tsung‐Hsing , Lin Chun‐Yen , Chiu Cheng‐Hsun , Su Ming‐Yao , Chiu Cheng‐Tang 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAimsSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most frequent complications of liver cirrhosis. Ascitic fluid lactoferrin has been proved to be a good diagnostic tool for SBP. However, lactoferrin in ascites may be checked after antibiotic treatment in these patients. Our study aims to assess the utility of ascitic fluid lactoferrin levels for the diagnosis of SBP after antibiotic treatment.Materials and methodsTwenty‐two ascites samples were collected from patients with cirrhosis. Samples were examined for bacterial culture, lactoferrin concentration, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte count. Clinical symptoms and indications for ascitic paracentesis were obtained from medical records. The diagnosis of SBP was based on an elevated ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte count of ≥250 cells/mm3.ResultsFour (18.1%) samples fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SBP. Three ascites samples showed a positive result for bacterial culture. Patients who received antibiotics for treatment of SBP constituted Group B (n = 9), whereas those who did not receive any antibiotics comprised Group A (n = 9). Lactoferrin concentration was significantly elevated (mean: 261.69 ± 145.5 ng/mL) in the three cases with a positive bacterial culture compared to those without SBP, in both Group A (mean: 19.64 ± 6.32 ng/mL, p = 0.002) and Group B (mean: 23.64 ± 9.53 ng/mL, p = 0.001).ConclusionAfter systemic antibiotic treatment, elevated lactoferrin levels in the ascites of cirrhotic patients appear to be a promising predictor for the presence of SBP having positive ascitic bacterial culture.
An Investigation of Ultramarathon-Associated Visual Impairment
Authors: Høeg Tracy B. , Corrigan Genevieve K. , Hoffman Martin D. 
Published: February 2015

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics under which ultramarathon-associated visual impairment occurs and to seek to identify its physiological basis and risk factors. Methods Through an online questionnaire, distributed worldwide, we obtained information from 173 self-identified ultramarathon runners who had experienced visual impairment during an ultramarathon. We attempted to characterize this vision impairment—its symptoms, duration, and the conditions under which it occurs. Select characteristics were compared with a reference group of 412 registrants of the 161-km Western States Endurance Run. Results Ultramarathon-associated visual impairment was typically characterized as painless clouding of vision that resolved either during (13.5%) or after racing within a median of 3.5 hours (range 0 to 48 hours) upon cessation of running. The mean (±SD) distance at which vision impairment occurred was 73 ± 40 km, and the 161-km distance was the most frequent race distance (46.8%) in which visual impairment occurred. Visual impairment was often recurrent, with respondents reporting having it develop during a median of 2 races. Respondents with a history of refractive surgery had more episodes than those without such history (median 3.5 vs 2 episodes, P = .010). Compared with the reference group, runners with visual impairment were nearly twice as likely (23.7% vs 12.1%, P < .001) to have had refractive surgery. Conclusions Ultramarathon-associated visual impairment typically presents as a painless clouding of vision that is self-limited but tends to recur in certain runners. Risk appears higher among those with a history of refractive surgery, which is relevant for ultramarathon runners who are considering, or who have a history of, refractive surgery.