bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of bumetanide on photodynamic therapy‐induced peri‐tumor edema of C6 glioma xenografts
Authors: Zhang Xufeng , Cong Damin , Shen Dawei , Gao Xin , Chen Lei , Hu Shaoshan 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bumetanide on peri‐tumor edema caused by photodynamic therapy (PDT) of intraparenchymal C6 glioma xenografts.MethodsSeven days after inoculation with C6 cells, rats with MRI‐confirmed glioma received hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME)‐mediated PDT, injection of bumetanide or a combination of the two treatments. After treatment, tumor volume, tumor weight, brain water content, microvessel density, expression of NKCC‐1, Zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), and animal survival time were examined.ResultsIn the PDT group, tumor growth was significantly inhibited and survival prolonged. Bumetanide enhanced the efficacy of PDT and reduced PDT‐induced peri‐tumor edema in the combined PDT + bumetanide treatment group where NKCC‐1 expression in response to PDT was significantly suppressed. ZO‐1 expression was significantly suppressed in the PDT‐only group. This suppression was not observed in the combined PDT + bumetanide treatment group.ConclusionPDT, in combination with bumetanide was seen to significantly inhibit the growth of C6 glioma, relieve peri‐tumor edema caused by PDT alone and prolong survival. These results suggest that PDT, in combination with bumetanide, may be a useful and promising strategy in the treatment of human glioma. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:422–430, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advances in Star‐Shaped π‐Conjugated Systems: Properties and Applications
Authors: Jarosz Tomasz , Lapkowski Mieczyslaw , Ledwon Przemyslaw 
Published: April 2014

Until recently π‐conjugated organic materials are based mainly on linear systems. Recent years, however, have brought about increasing interest in molecules boasting a dendritic, branched, or star‐shaped architecture. This tendency is a direct result of the ongoing search for materials with progressively better properties. Such compounds, featuring novel, 3D architectures, exhibit a multitude of interesting qualities, making them stand out from well‐known materials. The direction of star‐shaped compound application is determined by whether they are able to form aggregates, π‐stacks. This feature is a source of some astounding properties, coveted in numerous applications. Among this class of compounds high charge mobility, high fluorescence efficiency, and good charge separation are all found. Depending on the structure of the core, the molecule may adopt various types of symmetry. Similarly, the conjugation of orbitals may extend over the whole structure or be interrupted at chosen segments. The number of papers pertaining to star‐shaped oligomers and polymers is ascending with each year, evidencing a growing interest in them. Consequently, this Review focuses particularly on the most recent reports concerning modification of the structure and properties of the aforementioned type of compounds, as well as on the development of devices based on them.
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pH‐Induced Inversion of Water‐in‐Oil Emulsions to Oil‐in‐Water High Internal Phase Emulsions (HIPEs) Using Core Cross‐Linked Star (CCS) Polymer as Interfacial Stabilizer
Authors: Chen Qijing , Deng Xiaoyong , An Zesheng 
Published: April 2014

A pH‐responsive core cross‐linked star (CCS) polymer containing poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) arms was used as an interfacial stabilizer for emulsions containing toluene (80 v%) and water (20 v%). In the pH range of 12.1‐9.3, ordinary water‐in‐oil emulsions were formed. Intermediate multiple emulsions of oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil and water‐in‐oil‐in‐water were formed at pH 8.6 and 7.5, respectively. Further lowering the pH resulted in the formation of gelled high internal phase emulsions of oil‐in‐water type in the pH range of 6.4‐0.6. The emulsion behavior was correlated with interfacial tension, conductivity and configuration of the CCS polymer at different pH.
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Stretchable Gas Barrier Achieved with Partially Hydrogen‐Bonded Multilayer Nanocoating
Authors: Holder Kevin M. , Spears Benjamin R. , Huff Molly E. , Priolo Morgan A. , Harth Eva , Grunlan Jaime C. 
Published: April 2014

Super gas barrier nanocoatings are recently demonstrated by combining polyelectrolytes and clay nanoplatelets with layer‐by‐layer deposition. These nanobrick wall thin films match or exceed the gas barrier of SiOx and metallized films, but they are relatively stiff and lose barrier with significant stretching (≥10% strain). In an effort to impart stretchability, hydrogen‐bonding polyglycidol (PGD) layers are added to an electrostatically bonded thin film assembly of polyethylenimine (PEI) and montmorillonite (MMT) clay. The oxygen transmission rate of a 125‐nm thick PEI‐MMT film increases more than 40x after being stretched 10%, while PGD‐PEI‐MMT trilayers of the same thickness maintain its gas barrier. This stretchable trilayer system has an OTR three times lower than the PEI‐MMT bilayer system after stretching. This report marks the first stretchable high gas barrier thin film, which is potentially useful for applications that require pressurized elastomers.
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Strain‐specific nuclear genetic background differentially affects mitochondria‐related phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Montanari Arianna , Francisci Silvia , Fazzi D'Orsi Mario , Bianchi Michele Maria 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn the course of our studies on mitochondrial defects, we have observed important phenotypic variations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains suggesting that a better characterization of the genetic variability will be essential to define the relationship between the mitochondrial efficiency and the presence of different nuclear backgrounds. In this manuscript, we have extended the study of such relations by comparing phenotypic assays related to mitochondrial functions of three wild‐type laboratory strains. In addition to the phenotypic variability among the wild‐type strains, important differences have been observed among strains bearing identical mitochondrial tRNA mutations that could be related only to the different nuclear background of the cells. Results showed that strains exhibited an intrinsic variability in the severity of the effects of the mitochondrial mutations and that specific strains might be used preferentially to evaluate the phenotypic effect of mitochondrial mutations on carbon metabolism, stress responses, and mitochondrial DNA stability. In particular, while W303‐1B and MCC123 strains should be used to study the effect of severe mitochondrial tRNA mutations, D273‐10B/A1 strain is rather suitable for studying the effects of milder mutations.
Data‐driven modeling reconciles kinetics of ERK phosphorylation, localization, and activity states
Authors: Ahmed Shoeb , Grant Kyle G , Edwards Laura E , Rahman Anisur , Cirit Murat , Goshe Michael B , Haugh Jason M 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway controls cell proliferation and differentiation in metazoans. Two hallmarks of its dynamics are adaptation of ERK phosphorylation, which has been linked to negative feedback, and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, which allows active ERK to phosphorylate protein substrates in the nucleus and cytosol. To integrate these complex features, we acquired quantitative biochemical and live‐cell microscopy data to reconcile phosphorylation, localization, and activity states of ERK. While maximal growth factor stimulation elicits transient ERK phosphorylation and nuclear translocation responses, ERK activities available to phosphorylate substrates in the cytosol and nuclei show relatively little or no adaptation. Free ERK activity in the nucleus temporally lags the peak in nuclear translocation, indicating a slow process. Additional experiments, guided by kinetic modeling, show that this process is consistent with ERK's modification of and release from nuclear substrate anchors. Thus, adaptation of whole‐cell ERK phosphorylation is a by‐product of transient protection from phosphatases. Consistent with this interpretation, predictions concerning the dose‐dependence of the pathway response and its interruption by inhibition of MEK were experimentally confirmed.
Periodic mRNA synthesis and degradation co‐operate during cell cycle gene expression
Authors: Eser Philipp , Demel Carina , Maier Kerstin C , Schwalb Björn , Pirkl Nicole , Martin Dietmar E , Cramer Patrick , Tresch Achim 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDuring the cell cycle, the levels of hundreds of mRNAs change in a periodic manner, but how this is achieved by alterations in the rates of mRNA synthesis and degradation has not been studied systematically. Here, we used metabolic RNA labeling and comparative dynamic transcriptome analysis (cDTA) to derive mRNA synthesis and degradation rates every 5 min during three cell cycle periods of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A novel statistical model identified 479 genes that show periodic changes in mRNA synthesis and generally also periodic changes in their mRNA degradation rates. Peaks of mRNA degradation generally follow peaks of mRNA synthesis, resulting in sharp and high peaks of mRNA levels at defined times during the cell cycle. Whereas the timing of mRNA synthesis is set by upstream DNA motifs and their associated transcription factors (TFs), the synthesis rate of a periodically expressed gene is apparently set by its core promoter.
A new numerical approach to the hyperstatic reaction method for segmental tunnel linings
Authors: Do Ngoc Anh , Dias Daniel , Oreste Pierpaolo , Djeran‐Maigre Irini 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYThis paper proposes a numerical approach to the hyperstatic reaction method (HRM) for the analysis of segmental tunnel linings. The influence of segmental joints has been considered directly using a fixity ratio that is determined on the basis of the rotational stiffness. The parameters necessary for the calculation are presented. A specific implementation has been developed using a FEM framework. This code is able to consider the three‐dimensional (3D) effect of segment joints in successive rings on the tunnel lining behaviour. The present HRM allows one to take an arbitrary distribution of segment joints along the tunnel boundary into consideration. In addition, the rotational stiffness of segment joints has been simulated using nonlinear behaviour, as it is closer to the true behaviour of a joint than linear or bilinear behaviour.The numerical results of three hypotheses on ring interaction, which allow the 3D effect of a segmental tunnel lining to be taken into account, have been compared with data obtained from the shield‐driven tunnel of the Bologna–Florence high‐speed railway line project. The numerical results presented in the paper show that the proposed HRM can be used to effectively estimate the behaviour of a segmental tunnel lining. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary incontinence in frail elderly persons: Report from the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence
Authors: Wagg Adrian , Gibson William , Ostaszkiewicz Joan , Johnson Theodore , Markland Alayne , Palmer Mary H. , Kuchel George , Szonyi George , Kirschner‐Hermanns Ruth 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundEvidence based guidelines for the management of frail older persons with urinary incontinence are rare. Those produced by the International Consultation on Incontinence represent an authoritative set of recommendations spanning all aspects of management.AimsTo update the recommendations of the 4th ICI.Materials and MethodsA series of systematic reviews and evidence updates were performed by members of the working group in order to update the 2009 recommendations. The resulting guidelines were presented at the 2012 meeting of the European Associatioon of Urology.ResultsAlong with the revision of the treatment algorithm and accompanying text. There have been significant advances in several areas including pharmacological treatment of overactive bladder.DiscussionThe committee continue to notes the relative paucity of data concerning frail older persons and draw attention to knowledge gaps in this area. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:398–406, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conformational Dynamics of DNA G‐Quadruplex in Solution Studied by Kinetic Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled On‐line with Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mironov Gleb G. , Okhonin Victor , Khan Nasrin , Clouthier Christopher M. , Berezovski Maxim V. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractG‐quadruplex‐forming DNA/RNA sequences play an important role in the regulation of biological functions and development of new anticancer and anti‐aging drugs. In this work, we couple on‐line kinetic capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry (KCE‐MS) to study conformational dynamics of DNA G‐quadruplexes in solution. We show that peaks shift and its widening in KCE can be used for measuring rate and equilibrium constants for DNA–metal affinity interactions and G‐quadruplex formation; and ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) provides information about relative sizes, absolute molecular masses and stoichiometry of DNA complexes. KCE‐MS separates a thrombin‐binding aptamer d[GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG] from mutated sequences based on affinity to potassium, and reveals the apparent equilibrium folding constant (KF≈150 μm), folding rate constant (kon≈1.70×103 s−1 m−1), unfolding rate constant (koff≈0.25 s−1), half‐life time of the G‐quadruplex (t1/2≈2.8 s), and relaxation time (τ≈3.9 ms at physiological 150 mm [K+]). In addition, KCE‐MS screens for a GQ‐stabilizing/‐destabilizing effect of DNA binding dyes and an anticancer drug, cisplatin.
Effects of walker gender and observer gender on biological motion walking direction discrimination
Authors: Yang Xiaoying , Cai Peng , Jiang Yi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe ability to recognize the movements of other biological entities, such as whether a person is walking toward you, is essential for survival and social interaction. Previous studies have shown that the visual system is particularly sensitive to approaching biological motion. In this study, we examined whether the gender of walkers and observers influenced the walking direction discrimination of approaching point‐light walkers in fine granularity. The observers were presented a walker who walked in different directions and were asked to quickly judge the walking direction (left or right). The results showed that the observers demonstrated worse direction discrimination when the walker was depicted as male than when the walker was depicted as female, probably because the observers tended to perceive the male walkers as walking straight ahead. Intriguingly, male observers performed better than female observers at judging the walking directions of female walkers but not those of male walkers, a result indicating perceptual advantage with evolutionary significance. These findings provide strong evidence that the gender of walkers and observers modulates biological motion perception and that an adaptive perceptual mechanism exists in the visual system to facilitate the survival of social organisms.
A new research trend in social neuroscience: Towards an interactive‐brain neuroscience
Authors: Liu Tao , Pelowski Matthew 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe ability to flexibly modulate our behaviors in social contexts and to successfully interact with other persons is a fundamental, but pivotal, requirement for human survival. Although previous social neuroscience research with single individuals has contributed greatly to our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying social perception and social emotions, much of the dynamic nature of interactions between persons remains beyond the reach of single‐brain studies. This has led to a growing argument for a shift to the simultaneous measurement of the brain activity of two or more individuals in realistic social interactions—an approach termed “hyperscanning.” Although this approach offers important promise in unlocking the brain's role in truly social situations, there are multiple procedural and theoretical questions that require review and analysis. In this paper we discuss this research trend from four aspects: hyperscanning apparatus, experimental task, quantification method, and theoretical interpretation. We also give four suggestions for future research: (a) electroencephalography and near‐infrared spectroscopy are useful tools by which to explore the interactive brain in more ecological settings; (b) games are an appropriate method to simulate daily life interactions; (c) transfer entropy may be an important method by which to quantify directed exchange of information between brains; and (d) more explanation is needed of the results of interbrain synchronization itself.
Influence of bioactive linker molecules on protein adsorption
Authors: Killian Manuela S. , Schmuki Patrik 
Published: April 2014

When protein coatings are used in surgical implants, for sensors or in food applications, it is important to be aware of the influence of the immobilization method onto the protein‐coating performance. In this manuscript, we report on the effect of several bioactive linker molecules on a protein immobilized on a TiO2 surface. Particularly, the protein adsorption, orientation and functionality, which are directly related to the tertiary structure of the molecule, were investigated.The protein horseradish peroxidase was immobilized on a TiO2 substrate via a range of linker molecules for biomolecule attachment. The chosen linkers can immobilize the proteins in a random fashion via free NH2‐groups or COOH‐groups. Protein coverage was quantified with XPS, while Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) provided information about protein orientation as well as changes in the tertiary structure in relation to the respective linker system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sampling freshwater turtle populations using hoop nets: Testing potential biases
Authors: Mali Ivana , Brown Donald J. , Ferrato Jacqueline R. , Forstner Michael R. J. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThe baited hoop‐net is one of the most heavily used sampling tools for monitoring freshwater turtle populations. In the past several years, we have published a series of studies that tested potential biases associated with this sampling method. For this paper, we used a new experiment to directly test the influence of trap‐mouth opening size on both captures and escapes. We also summarized the results from previous studies to direct future research on this topic and provide a useful guide for managers and researchers using this sampling device. In our experiment during May 2013 in Texas, USA, we found that traps with larger mouth‐openings were more efficient at capturing turtles, while escapes were minimal for both mouth sizes. Thus, at least within the boundaries we tested here, increasing mouth‐opening size is an effective way to increase captures without introducing biases caused by differential escape probabilities. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of trabectedin, a DNA minor groove binder, administered as a 24-h continuous infusion in Japanese patients with soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Ueda Takafumi , Kakunaga Shigeki , Ando Masashi , Yonemori Kan , Sugiura Hideshi , Yamada Kenji , Kawai Akira 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackground Trabectedin is a novel anticancer agent used to treat soft tissue sarcoma (STS). This phase I study of trabectedin was performed to determine the recommended dose for phase II studies in Japanese patients with STS. Methods Patients who had STS refractory to, or who could not tolerate, anthracycline-based chemotherapy were enrolled. The starting dose of trabectedin was 0.9 mg/m2, given as a 24-h continuous infusion every 21 days. The dose was escalated to 1.2 mg/m2 and then to 1.5 mg/m2, using a “3 + 3” cohort expansion design. Plasma samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. Results Fifteen patients received 1 of 3 dose levels of trabectedin. Dose-limiting toxicity occurred in two of three patients at 1.5 mg/m2: 1 had a grade 3 increase in creatine phosphokinase and grade 3 anorexia, and the other had grade 4 platelet count decreased. Frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) included elevations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and decrease in neutrophil count. The frequency and severity of AEs were clearly greater at 1.5 mg/m2 than at the lower doses. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the area under the concentration-time curve at a dose of 1.2 mg/m2 was adequate to produce antitumor activity. A partial response was obtained in three patients with translocation-related sarcomas (1 each with myxoid liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma). Conclusions The recommended dose of trabectedin for phase II studies is 1.2 mg/m2 in Japanese patients with STS. Trabectedin may be especially effective against translocation-related sarcomas.
A New Anionic Oxalamide Lauryl Succinate Sodium Sulfonate Gemini Surfactant: Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis and Surface Activities
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhu Baowei 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAn anionic Gemini surfactant, oxalamide lauryl succinate sodium sulfonate, was synthesized successfully through amidation, esterification and sulfonation reactions under microwave irradiation conditions by using maleic anhydride, ethylenediamine, lauryl alcohol, sodium sulfite as the starting materials. The best reaction conditions for synthesize the target product were obtained by single factor and orthogonal optimization methods. FTIR, elemental analysis and 1H‐NMR analysis were used to confirm the chemical structure of the surfactant. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) in aqueous solution, surface tension, emulsification capacity and foaming power were determined. The critical micelle concentration and γCMC are respectively equal to 3.5 × 10−4 mol L−1 and 21.5 mN m−1. It was found that microwave‐assisted synthesis is an efficient means of preparation of this anionic Gemini surfactant with shorter times and higher yields.
In‐Situ Formation of Viscoelastic Wormlike Micelles in Mixtures of Non‐Surface‐Active Compounds
Authors: Zhang Yongmin , Zhou Dapeng , Feng Yujun 
Published: April 2014

AbstractViscoelastic fluids based on surfactant self‐assembled wormlike micelles have been in focus over the past decade. In this work, we report wormlike micellar solutions formed in situ by simply mixing two non‐surface‐active compounds, N‐(3‐(dimethylamino)propyl)palmitamide (C16AMPM) and salicylic acid (HSal), without specialized organic synthesis of a surfactant. In the absence of HSal, C16AMPM is poorly soluble in pure water; after introducing HSal, C16AMPM is protonated into quaternary ammonium, behaving like a cationic surfactant with a low critical micellar concentration (0.25 mM) and a small area per molecule, which favors the formation of long cylindrical wormlike micelles. Above the overlapping concentration (~28 mM), the wormlike micelles formed entangle each other into viscoelastic networks, enhancing the viscosity by several orders of magnitude. In contrast to the worms formed by a single ultra‐long‐chain surfactant, the current system shows the advantages of a smaller flow activation energy and end‐cap energy, simpler formulation and lower cost, which make it more suitable for practical use.