bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Easily available enzymes as natural retting agents
Authors: Antonov Viktor , Marek Jan , Bjelkova Marie , Smirous Prokop , Fischer Holger
Published: February 2007

Easily available commercial enzymes currently have great potential in bast fibre processing and can be modified for different end uses. There are several new technologies using enzymes that are able to modify fibre parameters, achieve requested properties, improve processing results and are more beneficial to the ecology in the area of bast fibre processing and fabrics finishing. Enzymatic methods for retting of flax, “cottonisation” of bast fibres, hemp separation, and processing of flax rovings before wet spinning, etc., fall into this group of new technologies. Such enzymatic biotechnologies can provide benefits in textile, composite, reinforced plastic and other technical applications. Laboratory, pilot and industrial scale results and experiences have demonstrated the ability of selected enzymes to decompose interfibre‐bonding layers based on pectin, lignin and hemicelluloses. Texazym SER spray is able to increase flax long fibre yields by more than 40%. Other enzymes in combination with mild mechanical treatment can replace aggressive and energy‐intensive processing like Laroche “cottonisation”. Texazym SCW and DLG pretreatments of flax rovings are presented.
Structural malleability of plasticins: Preorganized conformations in solution and relevance for antimicrobial activity
Authors: Bruston F. , Lacombe C. , Zimmermann K. , Piesse C. , Nicolas P. , El Amri C.
Published: February 2007

Plasticins (23 long‐residue glycine‐leucine‐rich dermaseptin‐related peptides produced by the skin of South American hylids) have very similar amino acid sequences, hydrophobicities, and amphipathicities, but differ in their membrane‐damaging properties and structurations (i.e. destabilized helix states, β‐hairpin, β‐sheet, and disordered states) at anionic and zwitterionic membrane interfaces. Structural malleability of plasticins in aqueous solutions together with parameters that may govern their ability to fold within β‐hairpin like structures were analyzed through circular dichroism and FTIR spectroscopic studies completed by molecular dynamics simulations in polar mimetic media. The goal of this study was to probe to which extent pre‐existent peptide conformations, i.e. intrinsic “conformational landscape”, may be responsible for variability in bioactive conformation and antimicrobial/hemolytic mechanisms of action of these peptides in relation with their various membrane disturbing properties. All plasticins present a turn region that does not always result in folding into a β‐hairpin shaped conformation. Residue at position 8 plays a major role in initiating the folding, while position 12 is not critical. Conformational stability has no major impact on antimicrobial efficacy. However, preformed β‐hairpin in solution may act as a conformational lock that prevents switch to α‐helical structure. This lock lowers the antimicrobial efficiency and explains subtle differences in potencies of the most active antimicrobial plasticins. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 42–56, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Hydrodynamic stress induces monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloid accumulation by Uncaria tomentosa (Willd) D. C. cell suspension cultures via oxidative burst
Authors: Trejo‐Tapia Gabriela , Sepúlveda‐Jiménez Gabriela , Trejo‐Espino José Luis , Cerda‐García‐Rojas Carlos M. , de la Torre Mayra , Rodríguez‐Monroy Mario , Ramos‐Valdivia Ana C.
Published: February 2007

Uncaria tomentosa cell suspension cultures were grown in a 2‐L stirred tank bioreactor operating at a shear rate $\dot \gamma _{\rm avg} = 86\,{\rm s}^{ - 1} $. The cultures showed an early monophasic oxidative burst measured as H2O2 production (2.15 µmol H2O2 g−1 dw). This response was followed by a transient production of monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids (178 ± 40 µg L−1 at 24 h). At the stationary phase (144 h), the increase of the shear rate $\dot \gamma _{{\rm avg}} $ up to 150 s−1 and/or oxygen tension up to 85% generated H2O2, restoring oxindole alkaloid production. U. tomentosa cells cultured in Erlenmeyer flasks also exhibited the monophasic oxidative burst but the H2O2 production was 16‐fold lower and the alkaloids were not detected. These cells exposed to H2O2 generated in situ produced oxindole alkaloids reaching a maximum of 234 ± 40 µg L−1. A positive correlation was observed between the oxindole alkaloid production and the endogenous H2O2 level. On the other hand, addition of 1 µM diphenyleneiodonium (NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor) or 10 µM sodium azide (peroxidases inhibitor) reduced both H2O2 production and oxindole alkaloids build up, suggesting that these enzymes might play a role in the oxidative burst induced by the hydrodynamic stress. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 98: 230–238. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative Experimental and EXAFS Studies in the Mizoroki–Heck Reaction with Heteroatom‐Functionalised N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Palladium Catalysts
Authors: Fiddy Steven G. , Evans John , Neisius Thomas , Newton Mark A. , Tsoureas Nikolaos , Tulloch Arran A. D. , Danopoulos Andreas A.
Published: February 2007

A study on the Mizoroki–Heck coupling of selected aryl bromides with acrylates catalysed by a series of Pd complexes of bidentate pyridyl‐, picolyl‐, diphenylphosphinoethyl‐ and diphenylphosphinomethyl‐functionalised N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) is reported. The observed activity is dependent on the type of solvent and base used and the nature of the “classical” donors of the mixed‐donor bidentate ligand and its bite angle. A mechanistic model is presented for the pyridine‐functionalised NHC complexes based on an in situ EXAFS study under dilute catalyst conditions (2 mM Pd). The model involves pre‐dissociation of the pyridine functionality and oxidative addition of ArBr in the early stages of the reaction, as well as formation of monomeric and dimeric Pd species at the time of substrate conversion.
QM/MM Modeling of Enantioselective Pybox–Ruthenium‐ and Box–Copper‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation Reactions: Scope, Performance, and Applications to Ligand Design
Authors: García José I. , Jiménez‐Osés Gonzalo , Martínez‐Merino Víctor , Mayoral José A. , Pires Elísabet , Villalba Isabel
Published: February 2007

An extensive comparison of full‐QM (B3LYP) and QM/MM (B3LYP:UFF) levels of theory has been made for two enantioselective catalytic systems, namely, Pybox–Ru and Box–Cu complexes, in the cyclopropanation of alkenes (ethylene and styrene) with methyl diazoacetate. The geometries of the key reaction intermediates and transition structures calculated at the QM/MM level are generally in satisfactory agreement with full‐QM calculated geometries. More importantly, the relative energies calculated at the QM/MM level are in good agreement with those calculated at the full‐QM level in all cases. Furthermore, the QM/MM energies are often in better agreement with the stereoselectivity experimentally observed, and this suggests that QM/MM calculations can be superior to full‐QM calculations when subtle differences in inter‐ and intramolecular interactions are important in determining the selectivity, as is the case in enantioselective catalysis. The predictive value of the model presented is validated by the explanation of the unusual enantioselectivity behavior exhibited by a new bis‐oxazoline ligand, the stereogenic centers of which are quaternary carbon atoms.
A Combinatorial Approach to the Discovery of Biocidal Six‐Residue Cyclic d,l‐α‐Peptides Against the Bacteria Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and E. coli and the Biofouling Algae Ulva linza and Navicula perminuta
Authors: Fletcher James T. , Finlay John A. , Callow Maureen E. , Callow James A. , Ghadiri M. Reza
Published: February 2007

A combinatorial approach has been used to rapidly identify cyclic d,l‐α‐peptide hexamer sequences that exert biocidal activity towards both methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and E. coli bacteria, as well as the marine algae Ulva linza and Navicula perminuta. Evaluation of the effects against marine algae was facilitated by the development of a reliable, automated assay for toxicity, which should be of general utility for biofouling investigations. While the selective toxicity of cyclic d,l‐α‐peptides towards bacteria has been proven to be highly sensitive to minor changes in amino acid composition, this study demonstrates that this phenomenon extends to eukaryotic species as well, despite their significant structural differences. In performing toxicity assays on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in parallel, we have discovered examples of six‐residue cyclic d,l‐α‐peptide sequences with either broad‐spectrum or highly selective biocidal activities. Sequence [KWFFFH] (underlined amino acid abbreviations represent D‐amino acid residues) was found to display 100‐fold selectivity towards U. linza, demonstrating that the approach described herein may help lead to the development of new biofouling tools which are not generally toxic to all organisms, but rather specifically target microbial agents of interest.
Property Tuning in Charge‐Transfer Chromophores by Systematic Modulation of the Spacer between Donor and Acceptor
Authors: Bureš Filip , Schweizer W. Bernd , May Joshua C. , Boudon Corinne , Gisselbrecht Jean‐Paul , Gross Maurice , Biaggio Ivan , Diederich François
Published: February 2007

A series of donor–acceptor chromophores was prepared in which the spacer separating 4‐dimethylanilino (DMA) donor and C(CN)2 acceptor moieties is systematically varied. All of the new push–pull systems, except 4 b, are thermally stable molecules. In series a, the DMA rings are directly attached to the central spacer, whereas in series b additional acetylene moieties are inserted. X‐ray crystal structures were obtained for seven of the new, intensely colored target compounds. In series a, the DMA rings are sterically forced out of the mean plane of the residual π system, whereas the entire conjugated π system in series b is nearly planar. Support for strong donor–acceptor interactions was obtained through evaluation of the quinoid character of the DMA ring and by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The UV/Vis spectra feature bathochromically shifted, intense charge‐transfer bands, with the lowest energy transitions and the smallest optical gap being measured for the two‐dimensionally extended chromophores 6 a and 6 b. The redox behavior of the push–pull molecules was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). In the series 1 b, 2 b, 4 b, 5 b, in which the spacer between donor and acceptor moieties is systematically enlarged, the electrochemical gap decreases steadily from 1.94 V (1 b) to 1.53 V (5 b). This decrease is shown to be a consequence of a reduction in the D–A conjugation with increasing spacer length. Degenerate four‐wave mixing experiments reveal high third‐order optical nonlinearities, pointing to potentially interesting applications of some of the new chromophores in optoelectronic devices.
Phenylboronate 160Tb complexes for molecular recognition of glycoproteins expressed on tumor cells
Authors: Djanashvili Kristina , Koning Gerben A. , van der Meer Astrid J.G.M. , Wolterbeek Hubert Th. , Peters Joop A.
Published: February 2007

The over‐expression of sialic acid on the surface of cancer cells compared with normal ones makes this nine‐carbon sugar an attractive biomarker for molecular diagnosis and therapy. Here, we describe a study on the molecular recognition of sialic acid end groups on the surface of human glioma cells by 160Tb–DTPA–EN2, 160Tb–DTPA–(ENPBA)2 and 160Tb–DTPA–(PBA)2 complexes. The results show Tb–DTPA–(ENPBA)2 to be the most efficient targeting agent, due to the electrostatic interaction between its two positively charged ammonium groups and the negatively charged cell surface, which provides an additional stabilization of the covalent binding through the PBA moieties and the sialic acid diol functions. Up to 5.5 nmol Tb/mg protein is taken up by the cells. ICP analysis after incubation experiments with non‐radioactive Tb–DTPA–(ENPBA)2 suggests that dissociation of Tb from this complex occurs after its binding to the cell surface. Most likely, most of the free Tb remains adsorbed on the surface of the cells, although internalization of a small amount cannot be excluded. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychometric properties of the eating disorder examination‐questionnaire: Factor structure and internal consistency
Authors: Peterson Carol B. , Crosby Ross D. , Wonderlich Stephen A. , Joiner Thomas , Crow Scott J. , Mitchell James E. , Bardone‐Cone Anna M. , Klein Marjorie , le Grange Daniel
Published: February 2007

Objective:

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the factor structure and the internal consistency of the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q).

Method:

The EDE‐Q was administered to 203 women with bulimic symptoms, who were recruited from five Midwestern communities.

Results:

Acceptable levels of internal consistency were observed for the EDE‐Q total score (α = .90) and subscales: Restraint (α = .70), Eating Concern (α = 0.73), Shape Concern (α = 0.83) and Weight Concern (α = 0.72). Exploratory factor loadings using Principal Axis Analysis supported the Eating Concern and Restraint subscales. Most of the Shape Concern and Weight Concern items loaded on one factor, with the exception of the items focusing on the importance of weight and shape in self‐evaluation and preoccupation with shape and weight.

Conclusion:

The results of this study provide support for the internal consistency of the EDE‐Q and indicate a need for further examination of the factor structure of this instrument. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007
Expression of IL‐10 in Th memory lymphocytes is conditional on IL‐12 or IL‐4, unless the IL‐10 gene is imprinted by GATA‐3
Authors: Chang Hyun‐Dong , Helbig Christina , Tykocinski Lars , Kreher Stephan , Koeck Juliana , Niesner Uwe , Radbruch Andreas
Published: February 2007

In Th1 and Th2 memory lymphocytes, the genes for the cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4 and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) are imprinted for expression upon restimulation. This cytokine memory is based on expression of the transcription factors T‐bet for IFN‐γ, and GATA‐3 for IL‐4, and epigenetic modification of the cytokine genes. In Th2 cells, expression of the cytokine IL‐10 is also induced by GATA‐3. Here, we show that this induction is initially not accompanied by epigenetic modification of the IL‐10 gene. Only after repeated restimulation of a memory Th2 cell in the presence of IL‐4, extensive histone acetylation of the IL‐10 gene is detectable. This epigenetic imprinting correlates with the development of a memory for IL‐10 in repeatedly restimulated Th2 cells. In Th1 cells, IL‐10 expression is induced by IL‐12, but the IL‐10 gene lacks detectable histone acetylation. Accordingly, IL‐10 expression in restimulated memory Th1 cells remains conditional on the presence of IL‐12. This finding defines a potential anti‐inflammatory role for IL‐12 in Th1 recall responses. While in primary Th1 responses IL‐12 is required to induce expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IFN‐γ, in secondary Th1 responses IFN‐γ re‐expression is independent of IL‐12, which still is able to induce expression of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10.
IL‐4 depletion enhances host resistance and passive IgA protection against tuberculosis infection in BALB/c mice
Authors: Buccheri Simona , Reljic Rajko , Caccamo Nadia , Ivanyi Juraj , Singh Mahavir , Salerno Alfredo , Dieli Francesco
Published: February 2007

The influence of Th2 cytokines in tuberculosis has been a matter of dispute. Here we report that IL‐4 has a profound regulatory effect on the infection of BALB/c mice with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Depletion of IL‐4 with a neutralizing mAb caused only evanescent reduction of lung infection, but when combined with i.n. inoculations of IgA anti‐mycobacterial α‐crystallin mAb and mouse rIFN‐γ, we observed a 40‐fold reduction of the bacterial counts in the lungs at 3 wks following i.n. infection (p<0.001). In genetically deficient IL‐4–/– BALB/c mice, infection in both lung and spleen was substantially reduced for up to 8 wks without further treatment. Reconstitution of IL‐4–/– mice with rIL‐4 increased bacterial counts to wild‐type levels and made the mice refractory to protection by IgA/IFN‐γ. Analysis of the lungs showed increased granulomatous infiltration and proinflammatory mediators in anti‐IL‐4/IgA/IFN‐γ‐treated and infected mice. We conclude that the action of IL‐4 in tuberculosis is targeted at macrophages and that it may include an antagonistic effect on their IgA/IFN‐γ‐induced activation and nitric oxide production. The described novel immunotherapy, combining treatments with anti‐IL‐4, IgA antibody and IFN‐γ, has potential for translation toward the passive immunoprophylaxis of tuberculosis.
Multispecific responses by T cells expanded by endogenous self‐peptide/MHC complexes
Authors: Cai Guifang , Hafler David A.
Published: February 2007

The paradox of autoreactivity to self‐peptides in physiological as opposed to pathological immune responses is not well understood. Here, we directly examined the human T cell response to endogenous self‐peptides in a series of healthy subjects. CFSE‐labeled T cells were stimulated with unmanipulated antigen‐presenting cells containing endogenous self‐antigen, and the resulting CD4+ populations entering into cell cycle (CFSElow) or non‐proliferating CD4+ cells (CFSEhigh) were single‐cell sorted, cloned and screened against a panel of self‐antigens and microbial recall antigens to interrogate their antigen reactivity. The percentage of CD4+ T cells entering cell cycle in response to self‐peptide/MHC was calculated to be 0.04%, and entry into cell cycle was dependent upon CD28 costimulation. Clones derived from CFSElow T cells exhibited significantly greater cross‐reactivity to multiple antigens than CFSEhigh clones or other CD4+ clones generated after microbial antigen stimulation. Sequencing the TCRβ chains indicated that CFSElow clones were indeed clonal. These data demonstrate that T cell clones generated on stimulation by endogenous self‐peptides exhibit a high degree of multispecificity, and we speculate that their multispecificity is based upon recognition of shared‐backbone MHC determinants.
A New Silver(I) Aggregate Having an Octagonal Ag4S4 Core Where μ3‐S Bonding Interactions Lead to a Nanotube Assembly that Exhibits Quasiaromaticity
Authors: Zartilas Sotiris , Kourkoumelis Nikolaos , Hadjikakou Sotiris K. , Hadjiliadis Nick , Zachariadis Panagiotis , Kubicki Maciej , Denisov Alexey Yu. , Butler Ian S.
Published: February 2007

Silver(I) chloride reacts with 2‐mercapto‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidine (StpmH2, C4H8N2S) in DMSO with excess triethylamine to give a complex of formula {[Ag4Cl4(μ3‐StpmH2)4]n} (1). The product was characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR far‐IR, UV/Vis, and 1H and 109Ag NMR spectroscopic techniques. The 109Ag NMR spectroscopic data of the complexes {[Ag6(μ2‐Br)6(μ2‐StpmH2)4(μ3‐StpmH2)2]n} (2) and {[Ag4(μ2‐StpmH2)6](NO3)4}n (3) are also reported here for comparison. Crystal structure of complex 1 was determined by X‐ray diffraction at 100(1) K. Complex 1, C4H8AgClN2S, crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group P4cc, a = 15.7761(9) Å, b = 15.7761(9) Å, c = 6.9624(8) Å, V = 1732.8(2) Å3, Z = 2. Each metal ion is bonded to one terminal Cl atom and three μ3‐S atoms from three StpmH2 ligands. Four silver ions are bridged by four sulfur atoms forming an octagonal Ag4S4 core. Each AgI ion of one core is also bridged to an AgI ion of another core through a sulfur atom, which forms an infinite nanotube structure. A computational study utilizing the method of nucleus‐independent chemical shifts (NICS) showed that the Ag4S4 core exhibits strong quasiaromaticity at the geometric cage center. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an AgI cluster that presents quasiaromaticity and stacking interactions.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Surface modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) microfluidic devices for high‐resolution separations of single‐stranded DNA
Authors: Llopis Shawn L. , Osiri John , Soper Steven A.
Published: February 2007

While polymer‐based microfluidic devices offer some unique opportunities in developing low‐cost systems for a variety of application areas, the ability to sort electrophoretically with high efficiency a number of different targets has remained somewhat elusive with an example consisting of achieving single base resolution as required for DNA sequencing. While the reasons for this are many‐fold, it is clear that some type of coating is required on the polymer substrate to suppress the EOF and/or minimize potential solute/wall interactions. To this end, we report on a simple grafting procedure to allow the formation of polymer coats, which in this example used linear polyarcylamides (LPAs), onto a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic device. The procedure involved creating an amine‐terminated PMMA surface by appropriately functionalizing the PMMA through either a chemical or photochemical process. The aminated surface could then be used to covalently anchor methacrylic acid, which was used as a scaffold to produce LPAs on the surface through radical polymerization of acrylamide. The resulting surfaces demonstrated EOFs that were nearly an order of magnitude smaller than native PMMA. In addition, these LPA‐coated devices could produce highly reproducible migration times of over ˜20 runs with plate numbers exceeding 105 m−1. Using gel electrophoretic analysis of a single base track generated from an M13mp18 template using Sanger cycle sequencing and dye‐primer chemistry, the resolution value obtained for bases 199 and 200 was 0.18 while for bases 208 and 209 it was 0.21. For the native PMMA, these bands were found to comigrate.
Comparison of chemical composition and antifungal activity of Curcuma longa L. leaf oils produced by different water distillation techniques
Authors: Babu G. D. Kiran , Shanmugam V. , Ravindranath S. D. , Joshi V. P.
Published: February 2007

Curcuma longa leaves, an unexploited agricultural waste in the hilly terrains of the western Himalayas in India, were exploited to isolate essential oil. The efficiency of vacuum distillation (150 mmHg) over conventional distillation at atmospheric pressure was assessed on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of these leaf oils, known for high monoterpene content and possessing lower boiling points. The oil yields were comparatively lower in vacuum distillation (0.25%) than conventional distillation (0.28%). GC and GC–MS analyses revealed that the vacuum‐distilled oil and the conventionally distilled oil contained maximum total monoterpenoids (88.2%) and sesquiterpenoids (45.7%), respectively, followed by ‘residual oil’, produced by redistilling the leaves at atmospheric pressure after vacuum distillation. Further, the ratio of monoterpenoids to sesquiterpenoids in the vacuum‐distilled oil was 10 times higher (10.5) than the conventionally distilled oil (1.0). These variations are attributed to the fact that in vacuum distillation, the constituents with lower boiling points are easily distilled off, leaving behind the higher boiling point constituents, which are otherwise extracted in the conventional distillation. In antifungal assays of these essentail oils against the fungal pathogens Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi and Alternaria dianthi, infecting carnations, and F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli and Curvularia trifolii f. sp. gladioli infecting gladioli, the residual oil showed better antifungal activity over other oil samples at each of the tested concentrations. Either the high content of sesquiterpenoids or the combined effect of the composition/ratio of mono‐ and sesquiterpenoids might have enhanced the antifungal activities. These studies clearly established the significance of a waste yielding useful products and the usefulness of the modified water distillation methods for producing essential oils with high‐quality profiles in terms of chemical composition and antifungal activity, except for oil yields. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Five oximes (K‐27, K‐48, obidoxime, HI‐6 and trimedoxime) in comparison with pralidoxime: survival in rats exposed to methyl‐paraoxon
Authors: Petroianu G. A. , Nurulain S. M. , Nagelkerke N. , Shafiullah M , Kassa J. , Kuča K.
Published: February 2007

There is a clear need for broad‐spectrum cholinesterase reactivators (active against a multitude of organophosphorus ester enzyme inhibitors) with a higher efficacy than pralidoxime. The purpose of the study was to quantify in vivo the extent of oxime‐conferred protection, using methyl‐paraoxon [dimethyl p‐nitrophenyl phosphate; (methyl‐POX)] as a cholinesterase inhibitor.

There were seven groups of six rats in each cycle of the experiment. Group 1 (G1) received 2 µmol methyl‐POX (≈ LD50), the other groups (G2‐7) received 2 µmol methyl‐POX + one of the six reactivators. The animals were monitored for 48 h and the time of mortality was recorded. The procedure was repeated six times. All substances were applied i.p. The experiments were repeated using 3 and 5 µmol methyl‐POX. Mortality data were compared and hazards ratios (relative risks) ranked using the Cox proportional hazards model with methyl‐POX dose and group (reactivator) as time‐independent covariables.

The relative risk of death estimated by Cox analysis (95% CI) in oxime‐treated animals when compared with untreated animals, adjusted for methyl‐POX dose (high/low) was K‐27, 0.58 (0.42–0.80); K‐48, 0.60 (0.43–0.83); trimedoxime, 0.76 (0.55–1.04); pralidoxime, 0.88 (0.65–1.20); obidoxime, 0.93 (0.68–1.26); HI‐6, 0.96 (0.71–1.31).

Only K‐27 and K‐48 provided statistically significant protection in rats exposed to methyl‐POX. Despite the lower inhibitory potency (higher IC50) of methyl‐POX compared with POX (ratio 4:1), the ability of oxime reactivators to protect from methyl‐POX induced mortality was reduced compared with protection from POX (ethyl‐analog). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benzoic acid‐degrading bacteria from the intestinal tract of Macrotermes michaelseni Sjöstedt
Authors: Kamanda Ngugi David , Khamis Tsanuo Muniru , Iddi Boga Hamadi
Published: February 2007

The intestinal tracts of termites host a wide variety of microbial symbionts, which have been implicated in degradative processes. In this study, a fungus‐cultivating termite, Macrotermes michaelseni was found to harbor 2.2 × 106 bacterial cells per ml of gut homogenates capable of degrading benzoic acid. Two benzoic acid degrading bacteria were isolated from the highest dilution of gut homogenates in oxic media with benzoic acid as the sole carbon source. Isolate CBC was related to Stenotrophomonas maltophila LMG 958T, Xanthomonas campestris DSM 3586T and Stenotrophomonas acidaminophila DSM 13117T with a sequence similarity of 98.3%, 94.7% and 94.2%, respectively. Isolate CBW was related to Enterobacter aerogenes JCM 1235T and Raoultella ornithinolytica ATCC 31898T with sequence similarity of 98.4% and 97.8%, respectively. In addition to growing on benzoic acid (up to 9 mM) aerobically, isolate CBW also degraded benzoic acid under anoxic conditions with nitrate as electron acceptor. Isolate CBC did not degrade bezoic acid with nitrate but could degraded resorcinol under oxic conditions. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identification of bacteria isolated from diseased Neungee mushroom, Sarcodon aspratus
Authors: Lee Young Nam , Koo Chang‐Duck
Published: February 2007

As the first step in an investigation of the problem with quality deterioration seen in the Neungee mushroom (Sarcodon aspratus) due to bacterial overgrowth during its storage, an attempt to isolate bacterial strains was made using infected gills of Sarcodon aspratus. Five bacterial strains were isolated; one phototrophic cyanobacterial species and four heterotrophic Gram negative rods. The four heterotrophic bacterial isolates (strains P, S, R, and MK1) were subjected to identification based on biochemical characteristics using the Biolog system, cellular fatty acid analysis using the MIDI system, cytology by scanning microscopy, and 16s rDNA sequence analysis. A slow grower, the P strain (ca. 0.7 μm × 1.5 μm), which forms pink colonies on Tryptic Soy agar (TSA) and glucose minimal salt medium containing thiamine (MT medium), belongs to genus Methylobacterium, and is likely M. radiotolerans. The methanol‐utilizing capacity of the P strain was confirmed by growth on methanol‐supplemented medium as a sole carbon source. Both the S and R strains (ca. 0.5 μm × 0.8 μm) produced smooth and slightly rough white colonies, respectively, on TSA, MT, and potato dextrose (PD) agar are members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Although both strains showed some differences from each other in colony morphology, nitrogen fixation capacity, and denitrification, they were considered to be Burkholderia stabilis because their 16s rDNA sequences showed 99.93% similarity with those of B. stabilis LMG 14294T (NCBI AF 148554). The MK1 strain, a rod‐shaped bacterium with a tapered end (ca. 0.6 μm × 1.8 μm), produces a copious mucoid substance on MT and PD agar, but not on TSA. Despite extensive identification studies, the M strain is not currently identifiable, which suggests that it is a novel bacterium. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Flagellin gene structure of flaA and flaB and adjacent gene loci in urease‐positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC)
Authors: Sekizuka T. , Murayama O. , Moore J. E. , Millar B. C. , Matsuda M.
Published: February 2007

Two flagellin gene (flaA and flaB) sequences and the adjacent gene loci of urease‐positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC)1 were examined. The flagellin gene sequences (1.7 kb) and adjacent gene loci of the two UPTC isolates (89049 and A3), obtained from animal hosts, were very similar to those of C. lari RM2100, C. jejuni, and C. coli. However, the structure and loci of the two flagellin genes (1.46‐1.47 kb) and the adjacent gene loci of a UPTC strain obtained from the natural environment (NCTC12892) clearly differed from those of C. lari RM2100 and UPTC obtained from animal hosts. The two flagellin genes of UPTC 89049 and A3 were located between topA /CLA0518 and CLA0521, whereas those of NCTC12892 were located between topA and CLA0521.

The sequences involved in regulation of flagellin expression, like σ28, σ54 and transcription termination signals, were conserved in all isolates. The characteristic direct repeat sequences containing a complete repeat unit of 5′‐TCTTTAAAACAAC‐3′ were located in the intergenic regions between flaA and flaB in UPTC89049 and A3, but not in NCTC12892.

The deduced amino acid sequence alignment revealed that the two flagellin genes in NCTC12892 had a deletion of the variable region of flagellin, which was reported previously to be modified by pseudaminic acid in C. jejuni and C. coli.

Consequently, these results may possibly suggest that the length of the flagellin is related to pathogenicity and colonization of Campylobacter. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Laser scanner analysis in reconstruction of traumatic laceration of the facial nerve
Authors: Kalbermatten D F , Wettstein R , Erba P , Schumacher R , Dagorov P , Pierer G
Published: February 2007

To present a new concept of outcome analysis after immediate reconstruction of traumatic lesions of the frontal branch of the facial nerve. With the aid of laser surface scanning, changes induced by frontal muscle contraction, i.e. frowning, in skin surface area on the forehead were measured in nine patients after repair of traumatic transection of the frontal branch of the facial nerve and in 10 healthy volunteers. With laser surface scanning analysis, consistent changes in surface area on the forehead were measured in both patients and healthy volunteers. Symmetry of 74±15% in forehead wrinkling was obtained 12 months after coaptation of the transected nerve. Laser surface scanning is a promising tool to assess outcome after repair of facial nerve laceration. It is easy to use, yields reproducible results and might be used in the future for other procedures.
Controlled radical polymerization of styrene mediated by the C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone/AIBN pair: Kinetics and electron spin resonance analysis
Authors: Sciannamea Valérie , Catala Jean‐Marie , Jérôme Robert , Detrembleur Christophe
Published: February 2007

Kinetics of the free radical polymerization of styrene at 110 °C has been investigated in the presence of C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone (PBN) and 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) after prereaction in toluene at 85 °C. The effect of the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio on the in situ formation of nitroxides and alkoxyamines (at 85 °C), and ultimately on the control of the styrene polymerization at 110 °C, has been investigated. As a rule, the styrene radical polymerization is controlled, and the mechanism is one of the classical nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. Only one type of nitroxide (low‐molecular‐mass nitroxide) is formed whatever the prereaction conditions at 85 °C, and the equilibrium constant (K) between active and dormant species is 8.7 × 10−10 mol L−1 at 110 °C. At this temperature, the dissociation rate constant (kd) is 3.7 × 10−3 s−1, the recombination rate constant (kc) is 4.3 × 106 L mol−1 s−1, whereas the activation energy (Ea,diss.), for the dissociation of the alkoxyamine at the chain‐end is ∼125 kJ mol−1. Importantly, the propagation rate at 110 °C, which does not change significantly with the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio at 85 °C, is higher than that for the thermal polymerization at 110 °C. This propagation rate directly depends on the equilibrium constant K and on the alkoxyamine and nitroxide concentrations, as well. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1219–1235, 2007
Phenothiazine‐S,S‐dioxide‐ and fluorene‐based light‐emitting polymers: Introduction of e−‐deficient S,S‐dioxide into e−‐rich phenothiazine
Authors: Lee Jonghee , Lee Jeong‐Ik , Park Moo‐Jin , Jung Young Kwan , Cho Nam Sung , Cho Hoon Je , Hwang Do‐Hoon , Lee Sang‐Kyu , Park Jong‐Hwa , Hong Jiwon , Chu Hye Yong , Shim Hong‐Ku
Published: February 2007

A novel series of poly(10‐hexyl‐phenothiazine‐S,S‐dioxide‐3,7‐diyl) and poly(9,9′‐dioctyl‐fluorene‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐10‐hexyl‐3,7‐phenothiazine‐S,S‐dioxide) (PFPTZ‐SS) compounds were synthesized through Ni(0)‐mediated Yamamoto polymerization and Pd(II)‐catalyzed Suzuki polymerization. The synthesized polymers were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis and showed higher glass transition temperatures than that of pristine polyfluorene. In terms of photoluminescence (PL), the PFPTZ‐SS compounds were highly fluorescent with bright blue emissions in the solid state. Light‐emitting devices were fabricated with these polymers in an indium tin oxide/poly(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)/polymer/Ca/Al configuration. The electroluminescence (EL) of the copolymers differed from the PL characteristics: the EL device exhibited a redshifted greenish‐blue emission in contrast to the blue emission observed in the PL. Additionally, this unique phenothiazine‐S,S‐dioxide property, triggered by the introduction of an electron‐deficient SO2 unit into the electron‐rich phenothiazine, gave rise to improvements in the brightness, maximum luminescence intensity, and quantum efficiency of the EL devices fabricated with PFPTZ‐SS. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1236–1246, 2007
Reorganization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) structures and conformations to alter properties
Authors: Vedula Jyotsna , Tonelli Alan E.
Published: February 2007

The solid‐state morphologies, structures, and chain conformations of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have been reorganized/altered from those normally produced by solution and melt processing. This has been achieved by two distinct methods: (1) formation of a crystalline inclusion compound (IC) between guest PET and host γ‐cylodextrin (γ‐CD), followed by removal of the host γ‐CD and coalescence of the guest PET (c‐PET) and (2) rapid precipitation of PET from a warm trifluoracetic acid solution into a large excess of rapidly stirred acetone (p‐PET). Our prior observations (FTIR, NMR, DSC, X‐ray) demonstrated that c‐PET processed in this manner has a morphology, structure, and non‐crystalline chain conformations that are quite distinct from those of as‐received PET (asr‐PET). Where possible to compare, here we find that c‐ and p‐PETs behave very similarly, but very distinctly from asr‐PET. The reorganized c‐ and p‐PETs were found to be repeatedly rapidly crystallizable from the melt with a high level of crystallinity, and in their non‐crystalline regions to have tightly packed chains predominantly adopting highly extended kink conformations, which evidence no glass‐transition behavior. What is most unusual and somewhat puzzling is that their contrasting structures, morphologies, conformations, and thermal responses were observed to be independent of melt annealing, and persisted even after holding both samples above Tm for extended periods (hours). p‐PET, which can be produced in larger quantities than c‐PET, was utilized to measure additional macroscopic properties, such as melt viscosities, densities, and the stress‐strain and thermal shrinkage of melt‐pressed films, for comparison to those of asr‐PET. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 735–746, 2007
Combination effects of herbicides on plants and algae: do species and test systems matter?
Authors: Cedergreen Nina , Kudsk Per , Mathiassen Solvejg K , Streibig Jens C
Published: February 2007

Risk assessment of herbicides towards non‐target plants in Europe is currently based solely on tests on algae and floating aquatic plants of Lemna sp. Effects on terrestrial non‐target species is not systematically addressed. The purpose of the present study was to compare combination effects of herbicide mixtures across aquatic and terrestrial test systems, and to test whether results obtained in the traditional aquatic test systems can be extrapolated to the terrestrial environment. This was done by evaluating ten binary mixtures of nine herbicides representing the seven most commonly used molecular target sites for controlling broadleaved weeds. Data were evaluated statistically in relation to the concentration addition model, and for selected concentrations to the independent action model. The mixtures were tested on the terrestrial species Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Schultz‐Bip. (Scentless Mayweed) and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Common Chickweed), and on the aquatic species Lemna minor L. (Lesser duckweed) and the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korschikov) Hindak. For the two mixtures of herbicides with the same molecular site of action, the joint effect was additive. For the eight mixtures of herbicides with different sites of action, two of the mixtures were consistently antagonistic across species, while for the remaining six mixtures the joint effect depended on the species tested. This dependence was, however, not systematic, in the sense that none of the species or test systems (terrestrial versus aquatic) had a significantly higher probability of showing synergistic or antagonistic joint effects than others. Synergistic interactions were not observed, but approximately 70% of the mixtures of herbicides with different sites of action showed significant antagonism. Hence, the concentration addition model can be used to estimate worst‐case effects of mixtures of herbicides on both terrestrial and aquatic species. Comparing the sensitivity of the species to a 10% spray drift event showed that the terrestrial species were more vulnerable to all herbicides compared with the aquatic species, emphasising the importance of including terrestrial non‐target plants in herbicide risk assessment. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Path consistent model selection in additive risk modelviaLasso
Authors: Leng Chenlei , Ma Shuangge
Published: February 2007

As a flexible alternative to the Cox model, the additive risk model assumes that the hazard function is the sum of the baseline hazard and a regression function of covariates. For right censored survival data when variable selection is needed along with model estimation, we propose a path consistent model selector using a modified Lasso approach, under the additive risk model assumption. We show that the proposed estimator possesses the oracle variable selection and estimation property. Applications of the proposed approach to three right censored survival data sets show that the proposed modified Lasso yields parsimonious models with satisfactory estimation and prediction results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Titanium carbene complexes as useful tools in organic synthesis
Authors: Takeda Takeshi
Published: February 2007

Various titanium carbene complexes are prepared by the reductive titanation of thioacetals, gem‐dihalides, and related organosulfur and organohalogen compounds with the titanocene(II) reagent Cp2Ti[P(OEt)3]2. Alkylidene‐, heteroatom‐substituted methylidene‐, 2‐alkenylidene‐, 2‐alkynylidene‐, and vinylidene‐titanocenes thus formed are highly reactive toward organic compounds bearing a multiple bond and are employed for a variety of organic transformations such as carbonyl olefination and olefin metathesis. © 2007 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 7: 24–36; 2007: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20103
Reasoning across ontologically distinct levels: Students' understandings of molecular genetics
Authors: Duncan Ravit Golan , Reiser Brian J.
Published: February 2007

In this article we apply a novel analytical framework to explore students' difficulties in understanding molecular genetics—a domain that is particularly challenging to learn. Our analytical framework posits that reasoning in molecular genetics entails mapping across ontologically distinct levels—an information level containing the genetic information, and a physical level containing hierarchically organized biophysical entities such as proteins, cells, tissues, etc. This mapping requires an understanding of what the genetic information specifies, and how the physical entities in the system mediate the effects of this information. We therefore examined, through interview and written assessments, 10th grade students' understandings of molecular genetics phenomena to uncover the conceptual obstacles involved in reasoning across these ontologically distinct levels. We found that students' described the genetic instructions as containing information about both the structure and function of biological entities across multiple organization levels; a view that is far less constrained than the scientific understandings of the genetic information. In addition, students were often unaware of the different functions of proteins, their relationship to genes, and the role proteins have in mediating the effects of the genetic information. Students' ideas about genes and proteins hindered their ability to reason across the ontologically distinct levels of genetic phenomena, and to provide causal mechanistic explanations of how the genetic information brings about effects of a physical nature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 938–959, 2007
Extended Resections of Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jonas S. , Thelen A. , Benckert C. , Spinelli A. , Sammain S. , Neumann U. , Rudolph B. , Neuhaus P.
Published: February 2007

Background

Indications for resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer and surgical strategies are still under debate.

Methods

We have retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 660 patients after 685 liver resections for metastases of colorectal cancer in our institution from 1988 to 2004. All surviving patients have a minimum follow‐up period of 1 year. The longest follow‐up in these patients is 16 years. Three different time periods of 5 to 6 years each were analyzed.

Results

The 30‐ and 60‐day mortality rates were 1.5% (n = 10) and 2.2 % (n = 15), respectively. The rate of formally curative (R0) resections was 84%. Five‐year survival rates in all patients and in patients after R0 resection were 37% and 42%, respectively. If only resections from 1999 to 2004 were considered, 5‐year survival in patients after R0 resection was 50%. In a multivariate analysis, surgical radicality, ligamental lymph node involvement, number of liver metastases, and time period, in which the liver resection had been performed, were independent prognostic parameters.

Conclusions

Outcome after liver resection for metastases from colorectal cancer has constantly improved. A formally curative resection is the most relevant prognostic parameter. Number of liver metastases and, in the few patients concerned, lymph node infiltration of the hepatoduodenal ligament, were further prognostic parameters.
Pneumatic Dilatation or Laparoscopic Cardiomyotomy in the Management of Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic Achalasia
Authors: Kostic S. , Kjellin A. , Ruth M. , Lönroth H. , Johnsson E. , Andersson M. , Lundell L.
Published: February 2007

Background

The most effective therapeutic strategy in newly diagnosed achalasia is yet to be established. Therefore we designed a study in which pneumatic dilatation was compared to laparoscopic cardiomyotomy to which was added a partial posterior fundoplication.

Patients and Results

A series of 51 patients (24 males, mean age 44 years) were randomly allocated to the therapeutic modalities (dilatation = 26, surgery = 25). All patients were followed for at least 12 months, and during that period the pneumatic dilatations strategy had significantly more treatment failures (P= 0.04). Only minor differences emerged between the study groups when symptoms, dysphagia scorings, and quality‐of‐life assessments were evaluated 12 months after initiation of therapy.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic myotomy was found to be superior to an endoscopic balloon dilatation strategy in the treatment of achalasia when studied during the first 12 months after treatment.
The effect of pain‐related fear on sexual arousal in women with superficial dyspareunia
Authors: Brauer Marieke , Le Kuile Moniek M. , Janssen Sabine A. , Laan Ellen
Published: February 2007

The role of pain‐related fear in the etiology and/or maintenance of superficial dyspareunia is still unclear. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of pain‐related fear on sexual arousal in women with superficial dyspareunia (n=48) and women without sexual complaints (n=48). To induce pain‐related fear, participants were told that they had a 60% chance of receiving painful stimuli while being exposed to one of two erotic film clips. Genital arousal was assessed using vaginal photoplethysmography. Self‐reported ratings of genital sensations and affect were collected after both erotic stimulus presentations. Elevated levels of skin conductance and higher ratings of experienced threat during the pain threat condition indicated that fear was successfully elicited. Pain‐related fear impeded genital arousal in all women. Women of both groups reported significantly less positive affect and more negative affect when threatened. Although women with dyspareunia did not differ in their genital responsiveness from women without sexual complaints, they experienced overall significantly more negative affect than the control group. The present results indicate that pain‐related fear reduces genital and subjective sexual responding in women with and without sexual problems. We conclude that emotional appraisal of the sexual situation determines genital responsiveness in both sexually dysfunctional and functional women.