bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive measurement of brain glycogen by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and its application to the study of brain metabolism
Authors: Tesfaye Nolawit , Seaquist Elizabeth R. , Öz Gülin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractGlycogen is the reservoir for glucose in the brain. Beyond the general agreement that glycogen serves as an energy source in the central nervous system, its exact role in brain energy metabolism has yet to be elucidated. Experiments performed in cell and tissue culture and animals have shown that glycogen content is affected by several factors, including glucose, insulin, neurotransmitters, and neuronal activation. The study of in vivo glycogen metabolism has been hindered by the inability to measure glycogen noninvasively, but, in the past several years, the development of a noninvasive localized 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy method has allowed the study of glycogen metabolism in the conscious human. With this technique, 13C‐glucose is administered intravenously, and its incorporation into and washout from brain glycogen is tracked. One application of this method has been to the study of brain glycogen metabolism in humans during hypoglycemia: data have shown that mobilization of brain glycogen is augmented during hypoglycemia, and, after a single episode of hypoglycemia, glycogen synthesis rate is increased, suggesting that glycogen stores rebound to levels greater than baseline. Such studies suggest that glycogen may serve as a potential energy reservoir in hypoglycemia and may participate in the brain's adaptation to recurrent hypoglycemia and eventual development of hypoglycemia unawareness. Beyond this focused area of study, 13C NMR spectroscopy has a broad potential for application in the study of brain glycogen metabolism and carries the promise of a better understanding of the role of brain glycogen in diabetes and other conditions. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clozapine and lithium require Caenorhabditis elegans β‐arrestin and serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase to affect Daf‐16 (Foxo) localization
Authors: Weeks Kathrine R. , Dwyer Donard S. , Aamodt Eric J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractNumerous studies have implicated low levels of signaling in the Akt network with psychotic illnesses, and a growing body of literature has shown that all classes of antipsychotic drugs increase Akt signaling. The most clinically effective antipsychotic drug is clozapine. With Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system, this study demonstrates that clozapine is unique among antipsychotic drugs because it requires β‐arrestin and serum and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase (SGK) in addition to Akt to suppress the nuclear localization of DAF‐16 (Forkhead box O [FOXO]). Lithium, a mood stabilizer often used to treat psychosis, also requires β‐arrestin and SGK to suppress the nuclear localization of DAF‐16. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anthraquinone‐Imide‐Based Dimers: Synthesis, Piezochromism, Liquid Crystalline and Near‐Infrared Electrochromic Properties
Authors: Chen Fengkun , Zhang Jie , Wan Xinhua 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA series of anthraquinone‐imide‐based dimers, C5*‐AQI‐Si2, C5*‐AQI‐Si3, C5*‐AQI‐Si4, and C5*‐AQI‐Si8, have been prepared by the hydrosilylation of N‐(hex‐5‐enyl)‐6‐(4′‐((S)‐2‐methylbutoxy)phenyl)anthraquinone‐2,3‐dicarboxylic imide and hydride‐terminated siloxanes with different lengths. Their liquid crystalline behaviors, and piezochromic and near‐infrared electrochromic properties have been characterized by DSC, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy. Although anthraquinone imide is not liquid crystalline by itself, all the dimers formed a smectic A mesophase. Under moderate pressure, the color of the dimers changed from light yellow to deep red. Upon reduction to a radical anionic state, the dimers exhibited an intense NIR absorption at 844 nm. These anthraquinone‐imide‐based dimers are probably the first multifunctional molecules with combined liquid crystalline, mechanochromic, and NIR electrochromic properties.magnified image
Effects of Structural Change Induced by Physical Aging on the Biodegradation Behavior of PLGA Films at Physiological Temperature
Authors: Yoshioka Taiyo , Kawazoe Naoki , Tateishi Tetsuya , Chen Guoping 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe effects of structural changes induced by physical aging (namely, enthalpy relaxation) on the biodegradability of PLGA films at physiological temperature (37 °C) is investigated. The degradation rate and behavior of aged and non‐aged PLGA films are compared, and the effects of physical aging on the biodegradability of the PLGA film are determined. Prior to the degradation experiments, aged films are prepared by annealing the amorphous PLGA films at 25 °C for 5 d or more. The degradation rate of aged films in accelerated degradation tests using aqueous NaOH is higher than those of non‐aged films due to heterogeneous microscopic structural changes that occur during the aging process.magnified image
Tuning the Donor–Acceptor Strength of Low‐Bandgap Platinum‐Acetylide Polymers for Near‐Infrared Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Qin Chuanjiang , Fu Yingying , Chui Chung‐Hin , Kan Chi‐Wai , Xie Zhiyuan , Wang Lixiang , Wong Wai‐Yeung 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTwo near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing metallopolyynes of platinum (P1 and P2) functionalized with a weakly electron‐donating fluorene unit and two strong electron acceptors (viz. benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]bis([1,2,5]thiadiazole) and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐i]dibenzo[a,c]phenazine) were synthesized and applied for NIR photovoltaic applications. With these designed weak donor–strong acceptor electronic traits, these metallopolymers possess narrow bandgaps of 1.54 and 1.65 eV and a low HOMO level of about 5.50 eV, thus inducing a power conversion efficiency up to 1% for bulk heterojunction solar cells at the NIR wavelength.magnified image
Self‐healing in Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Authors: Haraguchi Kazutoshi , Uyama Kazuhisa , Tanimoto Hisashi 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPolymer hydrogels with characteristics distinct from those of solid materials are one of the most promising candidates for smart materials. Here, we report that a nanocomposite hydrogel (NC gel) consisting of a unique polymer/clay network structure, can exhibit complete self‐healing through autonomic reconstruction of crosslinks across a damaged interface. Mechanical damage in NC gels can be repaired without the use of a healing agent, and even sections of NC gels separated by cutting, from whichever the same or different kinds of NC gel, perfectly (re‐)combine by just contacting the cut surfaces together at mildly elevated temperatures. In NC gels, the autonomic fusion of cut surfaces as well as the self‐healing could be achieved not only immediately after being cut but also after a long waiting time.magnified image
One‐Pot Synthesis of Microcapsules with Nanoscale Inclusions
Authors: Hu Xiaobo , Tong Zhen , Lyon L. Andrew 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTemperature responsive poly(N‐isopropylmethacrylamide) (pNIPMAm) microgel capsules around 1 µm containing multiple poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) nanoinclusions were prepared. This structure was achieved through the addition of a cross‐linked pNIPMAm shell to stable, monodispersed aggregates of pNIPAm chains. This one‐pot synthetic approach resulted in core/shell microgels at high temperature wherein only the shell (pNIPMAm) component contained stable, covalent cross‐links between chains. Thus, upon decreasing the temperature following synthesis, the majority of the encapsulated pNIPAm chains escaped from the shell, resulting in nearly hollow microcapsules. Remnant pNIPAm segments in the microcapsule then form nanoparticulate inclusions upon raising the temperature.magnified image
Trends and variability in pan evaporation and other climatic variables at Ibadan, Nigeria, 1973–2008
Authors: Oguntunde Philip G. , Abiodun Babatunde J. , Olukunle Olawale J. , Olufayo Ayorinde A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractUnderstanding changes in evaporation rates is expected to be of great importance for water resource planning and management. This paper examines pan evaporation data as an example of the detection and attribution of trends in climate variables. Records of pan evaporation (Epan), rainfall (R), radiation (SR), wind speed (WS), temperature (Ta) and humidity (RH) for the period 1973–2008 were collected from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Mann–Kendall trend and Sen's slope tests were performed on the respective meteorological variables and a variability index (VI) was also computed for these. The results showed that annually Epan, SR and WS significantly decrease (P < 0.001) while R, Ta, and RH showed insignificant increasing trends in the last four decades. Epan and SR decrease at the rate of 8.3 mm year−2 and 37.8 MJ m−2 year−1, respectively. Similar to Epan, SR decreased significantly in all the months (P < 0.01) and the reduction ranged from 5.1% per decade in March to 9.3% per decade in August. The result of VI showed that the decrease in Epan and other explanatory variables is rather recent. Regression between Epan and other variables indicates that about 30, 15 and 6% of its variance can be explained by SR, WS and VPD (vapour pressure deficit), respectively. The possible roles of dust‐haze known as ‘harmattan’ winds and monsoon clouds in attenuating SR and hence reducing Epan are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
A Comparative Study on the Constitutive Properties of Marketed Pesticides
Authors: Hao Gefei , Dong Qingjian , Yang Guangfu 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe concept of drug‐likeness has been established in the field of drug discovery. Pesticide discovery is also a complicated and rigorous filtering process compared with drug discovery. This study involved investigation of the constitutive properties of 788 marketed pesticides, including 341 herbicides, 182 fungicides, and 265 insecticides. In a comparison of the constitutive properties of different kinds of pesticides and of pesticides from different periods of registration, ClogP, the number of H‐bond donors (HBD), and the number of aromatic bonds (ARB) were identified as the most important factors that distinguish herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. In addition, the reduction in pesticide toxicity with revolution time was found to have some relationship with an increase in values of the six constitutive properties. Finally, we established some rules for pesticide‐likeness, including molecular weight≤435 Da, ClogP≤6, number of H‐bond acceptors (HBA)≤6, HBD≤2, number of rotatable bonds (ROB)≤9, and ARB≤17. The constitutive property‐related novel findings in this study will promote the structure‐based optimization of pesticide candidates.
High dose of dietary resveratrol enhances insulin sensitivity in healthy rats but does not lead to metabolite concentrations effective for SIRT1 expression
Authors: Andersen Gaby , Burkon Alexander , Sulzmaier Florian J. , Walker Joel M. , Leckband Gunhild , Fuhst Rainer , Erbersdobler Helmut F. , Somoza Veronika 
Published: July 2011

AbstractScope: trans‐Resveratrol has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and to enhance cellular glucose uptake. Evidence from recent studies indicates that these effects depend on SIRT1‐pathways.Methods and results: Since ingestion of resveratrol leads to the presence of resveratrol and resveratrol metabolites in the body, we aimed at investigating (i) whether a daily dose of 300 mg resveratrol/kg body weight in healthy male Wistar rats for a period of 8 wk affects the selected parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism and (ii) whether the resulting plasma concentrations of resveratrol metabolites were effective in modulating SIRT1 expression. The dietary dose was based on the results from preceding toxicity studies. The results from the feeding experiment revealed plasma concentrations of resveratrol and its metabolites below 1 μmol/L and showed that fasting glucose and insulin levels were decreased by 35 and 41%, respectively, in the resveratrol group compared with controls. Insulin sensitivity was enhanced by 70%, whereas liver SIRT1 protein expression was not affected. Treatment of HepG2 cells with 10 μM resveratrol (1.49‐fold) or its diglucuronides (1.21‐fold) increased SIRT1 expression.Conclusion: These results suggest that the improved insulin sensitivity after dietary administration of 300 mg resveratrol/kg body weight does not involve increased protein expression of SIRT1.
Advanced Oxidation Process for Degradation of Aqueous Phenol in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor
Authors: Marotta Ester , Schiorlin Milko , Ren Xianwen , Rea Massimo , Paradisi Cristina 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA novel dielectric barrier discharge reactor was developed for the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants in water. Phenol, chosen as a model compound, is efficiently removed from the aqueous solution according to an exponential decay as a function of treatment time at constant voltage. The effect of different experimental variables was investigated, including the active electrodes material and size and the flow rate of air above the solution. A few intermediates and CO2, the final product of phenol decomposition, were detected and identified by LC/ESI‐MS and FT/IR analysis. The major reactive species formed upon application of the discharge in air, the OH radical and ozone, were determined by means of specific chemical probes.magnified image
Mechanisms of Plasma Polymerization – Reviewed from a Chemical Point of View
Authors: Friedrich Jörg 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSeveral reaction mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of plasma polymers, such as monomer fragmentation followed by poly‐recombination into randomly structured and crosslinked films; fragmentation, accompanied by the formation of acetylene or other film‐forming intermediates and deposition of polystyrene‐like material; plasma‐initiation of a radical chain‐growth polymerization; and ion‐molecule reactions, as well as ionic chain‐growth polymerization. The bulk structure of plasma polymers is completely irregular, far from that of conventional polymers. The retention of functional groups during plasma polymerization tends to be greater than that of the entire monomer structure found again as an intact repeat unit in the resulting plasma polymer. An alternative method for depositing ultra‐thin, pin‐hole free coatings, ones that possess regular structures, is by electrospray ionization (ESI) of pre‐fabricated polymers.magnified image
Metal salts of carboxylic multiwalled carbon nanotubes – preparation, structure and thermal properties
Authors: Michalski Oskar , Kwiecień Brunon , Khachatryan Karen , Khachatryan Gohar , Stobinski Leszek , Tomasik Piotr 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSalts of carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes with monovalent Ag(I), Li, Na, NH4, divalent Ba, Co(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), UO2, Zn, trivalent Ce(III), Cr(III), In(III), Ru(III), Sm(III), tetravalent Pt(IV), Th(IV) and pentavalent Nb(V) cations were prepared and elucidation of their structure was attempted based on their thermal and the QMS analyses. The salts usually decomposed specifically up to 400 °C. Above that temperature decomposition of the nanotubes matter can proceed with either oxidizing or catalyzing participation of the metal derivatives formed on the thermolysis of the metal salts. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemical syntheses of nanocrystalline lithium manganese oxide spinel
Authors: Michalska Monika , Lipińska Ludwika , Diduszko Ryszard , Mazurkiewicz Marta , Małolepszy Artur , Stobinski Leszek , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe use of lithium manganese oxides in rechargeable lithium ion batteries has been stimulated due to their low cost and environmental compatibility. Especially, the interest of scientists concerns the oxide of the stable, spinel structured LiMn2O4. In the present work, this compound has been synthesized by three different methods viz., solid state reaction, modified sol–gel, and microwave hydrothermal techniques. The phase compositions of products were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) method and the surface morphology of nanopowders was examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identifying criteria for multimodel software process improvement solutions – based on a review of current problems and initiatives
Authors: Kelemen Zádor Dániel , Kusters Rob , Trienekens Jos 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYIn this article, we analyze current initiatives in multimodel software process improvement and identify criteria for multimodel solutions. With multimodel, we mean the simultaneous usage of more than one quality approach (e.g. standards, methods, techniques to improve software processes). This paper discusses first the current problems regarding the use of multiple software quality approaches. Subsequently, multimodel initiatives are categorized into three different groups, respectively: quality approach harmonization, quality approach integration, and quality approach mapping. Based on an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of current multimodel initiatives in these three classes, we derive a set of criteria, which can provide a basis for multimodel software process improvement solutions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Harbor Homoplasmic and Heteroplasmic Mitochondrial DNA Mutations While Maintaining Human Embryonic Stem Cell–like Metabolic Reprogramming
Authors: Prigione Alessandro , Lichtner Björn , Kuhl Heiner , Struys Eduard A. , Wamelink Mirjam , Lehrach Hans , Ralser Markus , Timmermann Bernd , Adjaye James 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been recently found to harbor genomic alterations. However, the integrity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within reprogrammed cells has yet to be investigated. mtDNA mutations occur at a high rate and contribute to the pathology of a number of human disorders. Furthermore, the lack of mtDNA integrity may alter cellular bioenergetics and limit efficient differentiation. We demonstrated previously that the derivation of iPSCs is associated with mitochondrial remodeling and a metabolic switch towards glycolysis. Here, we have discovered that alterations of mtDNA can occur upon the induction of pluripotency. Massively parallel pyrosequencing of mtDNA revealed that human iPSCs derived from young healthy donors harbored single base mtDNA mutations (substitutions, insertions, and deletions), both homoplasmic (in all mtDNA molecules) and heteroplasmic (in a fraction of mtDNAs), not present in the parental cells. mtDNA modifications were mostly common variants and not disease related. Moreover, iPSC lines bearing different mtDNA mutational loads maintained a consistent human embryonic stem cell–like reprogramming of energy metabolism. This involved the upregulation of glycolytic enzymes, increased glucose-6-phosphate levels, and the over-expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 protein, which reroutes the bioenergetic flux toward glycolysis. Hence, mtDNA mutations within iPSCs may not necessarily impair the correct establishment of pluripotency and the associated metabolic reprogramming. Nonetheless, the occurrence of pathogenic mtDNA modifications might be an important aspect to monitor when characterizing iPSC lines. Finally, we speculate that this random rearrangement of mtDNA molecules might prove beneficial for the derivation of mutation-free iPSCs from patients with mtDNA disorders.
Radical Acceleration of Nuclear Reprogramming by Chromatin Remodeling with the Transactivation Domain of MyoD
Authors: Hirai Hiroyuki , Tani Tetsuya , Katoku-Kikyo Nobuko , Kellner Steven , Karian Peter , Firpo Meri , Kikyo Nobuaki 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be created by reprogramming differentiated cells through introduction of defined genes, most commonly Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM). However, this process is slow and extremely inefficient. Here, we demonstrate radical acceleration of iPSC creation with a fusion gene between Oct4 and the powerful transactivation domain (TAD) of MyoD (M3O). Transduction of M3O as well as Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc into fibroblasts effectively remodeled patterns of DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, and protein binding at pluripotency genes, raising the efficiency of making mouse and human iPSCs more than 50-fold in comparison to OSKM. These results identified that one of the most critical barriers to iPSC creation is poor chromatin accessibility and protein recruitment to pluripotency genes. The MyoD TAD has a capability of overcoming this problem. Our approach of fusing TADs to unrelated transcription factors has far-reaching implications as a powerful tool for transcriptional reprogramming beyond application to iPSC technology.
Crucial Role of C-Myc in the Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Araki Ryoko , Hoki Yuko , Uda Masahiro , Nakamura Miki , Jincho Yuko , Tamura Chihiro , Sunayama Misato , Ando Shunsuke , Sugiura Mayumi , Yoshida Mitsuaki A. , Kasama Yasuji , Abe Masumi 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
c-Myc transduction has been considered previously to be nonessential for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation. In this study, we investigated the effects of c-Myc transduction on the generation of iPSCs from an inbred mouse strain using a genome integration-free vector to exclude the effects of the genetic background and the genomic integration of exogenous genes. Our findings reveal a clear difference between iPSCs generated using the four defined factors including c-Myc (4F-iPSCs) and those produced without c-Myc (3F-iPSCs). Molecular and cellular analyses did not reveal any differences between 3F-iPSCs and 4F-iPSCs, as reported previously. However, a chimeric mice formation test indicated clear differences, whereby few highly chimeric mice and no germline transmission was observed using 3F-iPSCs. Similar differences were also observed in the mouse line that has been widely used in iPSC studies. Furthermore, the defect in 3F-iPSCs was considerably improved by trichostatin A, a histone deacetyl transferase inhibitor, indicating that c-Myc plays a crucial role in iPSC generation through the control of histone acetylation. Indeed, low levels of histone acetylation were observed in 3F-iPSCs. Our results shed new light on iPSC generation mechanisms and strongly recommend c-Myc transduction for preparing high-quality iPSCs.
Announcement
Authors: Johnson John E. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAfter 25 years as Editor‐in‐Chief of Synapse, I will be retiring from the journal as of January 1, 2012. I founded this journal in 1987, and it has been a very enjoyable experience. Wiley will be organizing a search committee to find the appropriate replacement. I wish Synapse all the best for the future.