bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of agricultural practices on properties and metal content in urban garden soils in a tropical metropolitan area
Authors: Ondo Jean , Prudent Pascale , Massiani Catherine , Höhener Patrick , Renault Pierre
Published: June 2013

The appearance of agriculture in urban areas improved the healthy diet of
people by the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. This study assessed
the level of fertility, the impact of cropping system and of exploitation
time on physicochemical properties and pseudo-total and EDTA-extractable
metals contents of urban garden of vegetable soils in Libreville (Gabon). The
results indicated a low fertility of cultivated soils. The metal contents in
soils were generally different between culture in open field and culture
under shelters. Except Al which could be toxic for cultivated vegetables, the
soil properties and metal element concentrations decreased significantly in
open field soil with time, while they did not vary in open shade structure
soils. The pseudo-total cadmium concentration was below detection limits in
all soils. The multivariate analysis showed that Al, Fe and Pb were of
lithogenic origin, and Cu, Zn and Mn were of anthropogenic origin.
Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of some newer carbazole derivatives
Authors: Sharma Divyanshu , Kumar Nitin , Pathak Devender
Published: June 2013

A series of novel 5-((9H-carbazol-9-yl)methyl)-N-((substituted
phenyl)(piperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amine (4a-4o) derivatives
was synthesized by starting with carbazole which on reaction with ethyl
choloroacetate yielded ethyl 2-(9H-carbazole-9-yl)acetate (1), compound (1)
on reaction with semicarbazide followed by cyclisation with sulphuric acid
gave 5-((9H-carbazole-9-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amine (3) which through Mannich
reaction with piperazine and a variety of aromatic aldehydes in the presence
of acetic acid yielded the titled compounds (4a-4o). The structures of
compounds were characterized by UV, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, MS spectral studies and
elemental analysis. All the derivatives were evaluated for their
antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. Among the tested
compounds 4a, 4d, 4e and 4n exhibited significant antibacterial and
antifungal activity while the compounds 4a, 4d, 4k and 4n were found to be
active on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line i.e. MCF7.
Bioadsorption characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAOI
Authors: Kőnig-Péter Anikó , Kocsis Béla , Kilár Ferenc , Pernyeszi Tímea
Published: June 2013

Biosorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution using lyophilized
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAOI) cells were observed under various experimental
conditions. The effect of pH, initial metal concentration, equilibration time
and temperature on bioadsorption was investigated. The optimum pH value for
Pb(II) adsorption was found to be 5.0, and for Cd(II) 5.0 ? 6.0. The Pb(II)
and Cd(II) bioadsorption equilibrium were analyzed by using Freundlich and
Langmuir model using nonlinear least-squares estimation. The experimental
maximum uptake capacity of Pb(II) and Cd(II) was estimated to be 164 mg g-1
and 113 mg g-1, respectively. For biosorption kinetic study the pseudo
second-order kinetic model was applied at various temperatures. The
temperature had no significant effect on Pb(II) bioadsorption. In case of
Cd(II) bioadsorption the adsorbed amount decreased with increasing
temperature.
Diastereoselective addition of alkenylchromium(III) reagents to Garner’s aldehyde: Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling approach to sphingosines and ceramides
Authors: Ferjancic Zorana , Matovic Radomir , Bihelovic Filip
Published: June 2013

The intermolecular Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling between alkenylchromium(III)
reagents, derived from either (E)-2-bromostyrene or (E)-1-iodopentadec-1-ene,
and conformationally rigid Garner's aldehyde resulted in stereoselective
formation of Felkin-type allylic alcohols in good yields, thus providing an
easy access to sphingosines. In addition, when the protecting group in
Garner's aldehyde was changed (from Boc to N-octanoyl), a reversal of
stereoselectivity was observed in the reaction with
(E)-pentadec-1-enylchromium(III), probably as a result of hydrophobic
interactions between long carbon chains of the reaction partners.
Biosorption of heavy metals by Streptomyces species — an overview
Authors: Mosbah Rachid , Sahmoune Mohamed
Published: June 2013

Abstract Heavy metals, derived from industrial wastewater discharge, present a serious threat to human health and to natural water. Biosorption is regarded as a cost-effective biotechnology for the treatment of high volume and low concentration wastewaters containing heavy metal(s) in the order of 1 to 100 mg L−1. Among the biomaterials for heavy metal removal which have been researched during the past decades is the Streptomyces species, a by-product of an industrial antibiotic fermentation process. This paper describes the hazards posed by heavy metals effluents on the environment and use of various Streptomyces species to remove heavy metals from aqueous solution. Characterization of Streptomyces species, factors affecting biosorption, biosorption isotherms and biosorption kinetics is discussed. Graphical abstract
Potentiometric cholesterol biosensing application of graphene electrode with stabilized polymeric lipid membrane
Authors: Nikoleli Georgia-Paraskevi , Ibupoto Zafar , Nikolelis Dimitrios , Likodimos Vlassis , Psaroudakis Nikolas , Tzamtzis Nikolaos , Willander Magnus , Hianik Tibor
Published: June 2013

Abstract A novel potentiometric cholesterol biosensor has been fabricated through the immobilization of the stabilized polymeric lipid membrane onto graphene electrode. The stabilized polymeric lipid membrane is composed of cholesterol oxidase enzyme and polymerization mixture; which holds paramount influence on the properties of the cholesterol biosensor. The presented biosensor reveals an appreciable reproducibility, good selectivity and high sensing capability with a linear slope curve of ∼64 mV per decade. The strong biocompatibility among stabilized polymeric lipid membranes and human biofluids provides the possibility to use for real blood samples and other biological applications. Graphical abstract
Cyclodextrin-based Combinatorial Polymers: Efficient Binders of Pharmaceuticals in Water
Authors: Shahgaldian Patrick , Corvini Philippe F.-X.
Published: June 2013

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligomers of glucose; they are widely used in a large range of industrial applications because of their molecular inclusion properties. We used cyclodextrins to prepare different libraries of polymers and tested their ability to selectively recognize pharmaceuticals
in water. It was demonstrated that the chemical composition of the polymer strongly influences its binding properties. The developed strategy can be used to produce selective sorbent nanomaterials of pharmaceuticals.
To The Question of Risk Management for Failures of Cable-Stayed and Prestressed Bridges in Russia
Authors: Syrkov Anton
Published: June 2013

The characteristic cases of cable-stayed and prestressed bridge structures failures and collapses in Russia are considered. Some results of risk analysis methodology applied to bridge structures are given. The process of identification of potential hazards and possible failure modes, definition the critical risk of failure with respect to the bridge structures are described. In order to improve a technical condition of bridge structures and to reduce the risks of their failures and collapses, some risk management actions were suggested with respect to the cable-stayed bridge on the Russian island in Vladivostok. Some of them are given in the report. For example, an inspection monitoring system, founded on new non-destructive equipment, is developed.
Testing of Full Scale Pre-Stressed Concrete Beams
Authors: Lindberg Ralf , Lindberg Nina , Laaksonen Anssi , Vilonen Ilkka
Published: June 2013

This paper deals with testing of pre-stressed I-beams, the behaviour of the beams under loading, strengthening methods and their function.

In the near history in Finland large commercial buildings have been built using pre-stressed pre-fabricated beams. The cost efficiency has led to designing very slender beams with higher pre-stress forces. This has caused problems in pre-stressed beams around Finland. Damages has been so se-vere that immediate repair of the beams has been necessary in some cases. Tampere University of Technology helped develop and tested these strengthening methods.

The results of the tests led to development of a formula that estimates the beam’s extra capacity after post-tensioned strengthening method.
Collapse of the River Verde Viaduct Scaffolding System
Authors: Tanner Peter , Hingorani Ramón
Published: June 2013

Explicit risk analysis, a powerful structural safety decision-making tool, was applied to investigate the collapse of a movable scaffolding system (MSS) during construction of the River Verde Viaduct at Almuñécar, Spain in 2005, in which six workers lost their lives. Systematic qualitative risk analysis was conducted to identify the MSS structural safety hazards that may have theoretically caused the collapse. Based on exhaustive experimental and theoretical studies, these hazards were classified by their relevance to the accident. Logical combinations of the hazards were subsequently established to ascertain possible failure scenarios. This was followed by quantitative risk analysis, in which probabilistic methods were deployed to corroborate the likelihood of occurrence of the scenarios envisaged. Without such methods, no credible conclusions could have been drawn.
Nonlinear Modelling for Offshore Robustness. A Sensitivity Study.
Authors: Betti Michele , Spadaccini Ostilio , Vignoli Andrea
Published: June 2013

The assessment of existing offshore steel jacket structures for use beyond their initial life requires a proper design of an inspection plan aimed to constantly check-up the structural elements (both members and joints). There is consequently a need to define a set of indicators that, possibly combined with a continuous dynamic monitoring system, provides a reasonable measure of structural robustness and damage tolerance. To investigate these aspects the paper proposes to develop non-linear static pushover analyses to assess the system reserve strength: damages, or deteriorations, of primary and secondary structural components are assumed to evaluate their effects on the robustness of the structure and to evaluate the possibility to employ a structural monitoring system as a check-up of the integrity of the structural elements.
Assuring Robustness of Non-Prescriptive Building Structures in China
Authors: Sarkisian Mark , Mathias Neville , Zhang Joanna
Published: June 2013

China arguably has one of the best regulatory processes in the world today for validating the designs of tall and complex non-prescriptive building structure designs, thereby assuring their robustness. This paper presents the basic and special requirements of this code / regulation mandated process. While the process often necessitates strenuous analytical and design efforts, it also opens the doors to exciting and robust first principle structural designs.

Future trends in approaches to robust structural design are briefly discussed.
Robustness of Structures: Role of Graph Complexity
Authors: De Biagi Valerio , Chiaia Bernardino
Published: June 2013

Graphs are widely employed in many fields of Science and Humanities studies, e.g. network analysis, communications, or literature. This abstract representation serves to analyse large systems, in which each element plays a role in the overall behaviour. In this paper, this concept is applied to structural engineering. A scheme with beams (or columns) and joints can be represented, mathematically, as a set of nodes and edges. The information content of a graph, i.e. of the corresponding structure, is used as a measure of complexity by means of the so called Shannon’s entropy. The deformation work plays a fundamental role in the description of the behaviour of the loaded scheme. Further, an optimization of the complexity lets to stress the capabilities of the novel metrics in the design of robust structures.
Robustness for Large Steel-Concrete Composite Structures
Authors: Hoffmann Nadine , Rölle Lars , Kuhlmann Ulrike
Published: June 2013

The paper reports briefly on investigations for large steel-concrete composite structures such as multi-story buildings where the danger of a progressive collapse is prevented by alternate load path methods. Structural redundancy is considered depending on the floor system and on frame action. Focus is given to the influence of joints and the importance of their ductile behaviour for the structural robustness. Report is given also on a new European project developing an advanced design concept for steel-concrete composite structures under defined impact scenarios.
Robustness in Tall Buildings: Earth, Wind & Fire
Authors: O'Connor Mark
Published: June 2013

The aim of this paper is to introduce some of the key concepts in enhancing the robustness of tall buildings. The overarching objective of such a process should be the development of sensible hazard scenarios and realistic acceptance criteria to ensure cost-effective and sustainable design. Due to the complex structural behaviour exhibited, both in loading and response, under common identified hazards some degree of simplification is inevitable so it is important that any hazards considered are treated within a common performance based design framework.

An overview is presented of a design framework in which the performance of buildings under accidental and extreme events can be assessed. A range of analysis techniques is available to the engineer;which technique is chosen depends on the complexity and nature of the building, the specific hazards that the building will be subjected to and the degree of conservatism that can be tolerated in ensuring the robustness of that particular building. Some of the detailed assessment procedures available for such buildings under certain specific hazards within the framework are discussed.
Bridge Damage Caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Kawashima Kazuhiko
Published: June 2013

This paper presents damage of bridges during the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake. Effectiveness of recent development of seismic design and implementation of seismic retrofit is evaluated based on comparison of the damage during the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and the 1978 Miyagi-ken-oki earthquake. Tsunami-induced damage is also presented for bridges along the Pacific Coast. Typical feature of tsunami-induced damage is presented based on a field investigation.
Mapping Multivalent Metaphors: Analyzing the Wildnis Metaphor in the Zwischenstadt Discourse in Terms of Political Worldviews
Authors: Vicenzotti Vera
Published: June 2013

This article presents an approach to mapping multivalent metaphors, that is, metaphors that imply competing values. It suggests that a metaphor's interpretative repertoire can usefully be structured in terms of worldviews derived from political philosophies. To illustrate this approach, the article analyzes how Wildnis (wild nature) is used to refer to the Zwischenstadt (hybrid peri-urban landscapes) in German language planning discourse. It thus makes a contribution toward interpreting and structuring this discourse. After outlining the methodological framework, the article presents certain elements of the interpretative repertoire of Wildnis by outlining selected liberal, Romantic, and conservative interpretations of this metaphor. It then interprets actual statements by urban and landscape planners and designers, reconstructing how they refer to various political interpretations of Wildnis. Finally, it is argued that the approach can benefit planning practice by enhancing frame awareness and by allowing for a systematic analysis of the metaphor's blind spots.
The Hunt As Love and Kill: Hunter-Prey Relations in the Discourse of Contemporary Hunting Magazines
Authors: Kelly Jennifer Rebecca , Rule Stacy
Published: June 2013

Full-length feature articles in eight popular American hunting magazines were assessed to better understand hunter-prey relationships as depicted in contemporary hunting discourse. Our findings suggest hunters regard prey using two contradictory paradigms-Love and Kill. In the Love category, we find respect for life, admiration for nature and animals, and a sense of kinship between hunter and prey. In contrast, writings consistent with the Kill theme focus on conquest, objectification, hunter physiological responses, and violence. Of the 23 articles reviewed, 61 percent of the sample had multiple representations of Love and Kill in the same article, revealing a multilayered discourse. Many scholars have written about Love and Kill as separate constructs in hunting, suggesting they are mutually exclusive. Our empirical study counters this claim, finding instead that individual hunters often view their prey through a mixed lens that includes both Love and Kill.
Boron neutron capture therapy for recurrent high-grade meningiomas
Authors: Kawabata Shinji , Hiramatsu Ryo , Kuroiwa Toshihiko , Ono Koji , Miyatake Shin-Ichi
Published: June 2013

Object

Similar to glioblastomas, high-grade meningiomas are difficult pathologies to control. In this study, the authors used boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a tumor-selective intensive particle radiation modality, to treat high-grade meningioma.

Methods

From June 2005 to September 2011, BNCT was applied 28 times in 20 cases of recurrent high-grade meningioma. All patients had previously undergone intensive treatments such as repetitive surgeries and multiple sessions of radiation therapy. Fluorine-18–labeled boronophenylalanine (18F-BPA) PET was performed before BNCT in 19 of the 20 cases; BPA is itself a therapeutic compound. Compound uptake, tumor shrinkage, long-term control rate including survival time, and failure pattern of the treated patients were all evaluated.

Results

Eighteen of 19 cases studied using 18F-BPA PET showed good BPA uptake, with ratios of tumor to normal brain greater than 2.7. These ratios indicated the likely effects of BNCT prior to neutron irradiation. The original tumor sizes were between 4.3 cm3 and 109 cm3. A mean tumor volume reduction of 64.5% was obtained after BNCT within just 2 months. The median follow-up duration was 13 months. Six patients are still alive; at present, the median survival times after BNCT and diagnosis are 14.1 months (95% CI 8.6–40.4 months) and 45.7 months (95% CI 32.4–70.7 months), respectively. Clinical symptoms before BNCT, such as hemiparesis and facial pain, were improved after BNCT in symptomatic cases. Systemic metastasis, intracranial distant recurrence outside the radiation field, CSF dissemination, and local tumor progression were observed in 6, 7, 3, and 3 cases, respectively, during the clinical course. Apparent pseudoprogression was observed in at least 3 cases. Symptomatic radiation injuries occurred in 6 cases, and were controllable in all but 1 case.

Conclusions

Boron neutron capture therapy may be especially effective in cases of high-grade meningioma.
Combined S-1 and S-2 sacral alar-iliac screws as a salvage technique for pelvic fixation after pseudarthrosis and lumbosacropelvic instability
Authors: Mattei Tobias A. , Fassett Daniel R.
Published: June 2013

Lumbosacropelvic pseudarthrosis after long spinal fusions for treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis remains a challenging condition. Moreover, although pelvic fixation with iliac screws is widely used in deformity surgery to provide a biomechanically strong distal anchor for long thoracolumbar constructs, there are very few options available after failed pelvic fixation with iliac screws. The authors conducted a retrospective review of the surgical charts and imaging findings of patients subjected to revision surgery for lumbosacropelvic pseudarthrosis from August 2011 to August 2012. This review identified 5 patients in whom a salvage technique combining both S-1 and S-2 sacral alar-iliac (SAI) screws had been performed. In this technical note, the authors present a detailed anatomical discussion and an appraisal of the sequential intraoperative steps of this new technique involving a combination of S-1 and S-2 SAI screws. The discussion is illustrated with a surgical case in which this technique was used to treat a patient with pseudarthrosis that had developed after fixation with classic iliac screws. In conclusion, although S-2 SAI screws have previously been reported as an interesting alternative to classic iliac wing screws, this report is the first on the use of combined S-1 and S-2 SAI screws for pelvic fixation as a salvage technique for lumbosacropelvic instability. According to the reported experience, this technique provides a biomechanically robust construct for definitive pelvic fixation during revision surgeries in the challenging scenarios of pseudarthrosis and instability of the lumbosacropelvic region.
A Comparison of Methods for RNA-Seq Differential Expression Analysis and a New Empirical Bayes Approach
Authors: Wesolowski Sergiusz , Birtwistle Marc , Rempala Grzegorz
Published: June 2013

Transcriptome-based biosensors are expected to have a large impact on the future of biotechnology. However, a central aspect of transcriptomics is differential expression analysis, where, currently, deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has the potential to replace the microarray as the standard assay for RNA quantification. Our contributions here to RNA-seq differential expression analysis are two-fold. First, given the high cost of an RNA-seq run, biological replicates are rare, and therefore, information sharing across genes to obtain variance estimates is crucial. To handle such information sharing in a rigorous manner, we propose an hierarchical, empirical Bayes approach (R-EBSeq) that combines the Cufflinks model for generating relative transcript abundance measurements, known as FPKM (fragments per kilobase of transcript length per million mapped reads) with the EBArrays framework, which was previously developed for empirical Bayes analysis of microarray data. A desirable feature of R-EBSeq is easy-to-implement analysis of more than pairwise comparisons, as we illustrate with experimental data. Secondly, we develop the standard RNA-seq test data set, on the level of reads, where 79 transcripts are artificially differentially expressed and, therefore, explicitly known. This test data set allows us to compare the performance, in terms of the true discovery rate, of R-EBSeq to three other widely used RNAseq data analysis packages: Cuffdiff, DEseq and BaySeq. Our analysis indicates that DESeq identifies the first half of the differentially expressed transcripts well, but then is outperformed by Cuffdiff and R-EBSeq. Cuffdiff and R-EBSeq are the two top performers. Thus, R-EBSeq offers good performance, while allowing flexible and rigorous comparison of multiple biological conditions.
Future Research on Cyber-Physical Emergency Management Systems
Authors: Gelenbe Erol , Wu Fang-Jing
Published: June 2013

Cyber-physical systems that include human beings and vehicles in a built environment, such as a building or a city, together with sensor networks and decision support systems have attracted much attention. In emergencies, which also include mobile searchers and rescuers, the interactions among civilians and the environment become much more diverse, and the complexity of the emergency response also becomes much greater. This paper surveys current research on sensor-assisted evacuation and rescue systems and discusses the related research issues concerning communication protocols for sensor networks, as well as several other important issues, such as the integrated asynchronous control of large-scale emergency response systems, knowledge discovery for rescue and prototyping platforms. Then, we suggest directions for further research.
Relative Concerns and Delays in Bargaining with Private Information
Authors: Mauleon Ana , Vannetelbosch Vincent
Published: June 2013

We consider Rubinstein’s two-person alternating-offer bargaining model with two-sided incomplete information. We investigate the effects of one party having relative concerns about the bargaining outcome and the delay in reaching an agreement. We find that facing an opponent with stronger relative concerns only hurts the bargainer when she is stronger than her opponent. In addition, we show that an increase of one party’s relative concerns will decrease the maximum delay in reaching an agreement.
A Labile Pool of IQGAP1 Disassembles Endothelial Adherens Junctions
Authors: Yuan Zhiguo , Zhang Wentao , Tan Wen
Published: June 2013

Adhesion molecules are known to play an important role in endothelial activation and angiogenesis. Here we determined the functional role of IQGAP1 in the regulation of endothelial adherens junctions. VE-cadherin is found to be associated with actin filaments and thus stable, but IQGAP1 at intercellular junctions is not bound to actin filaments and thus labile. Expression of GFP labeled VE-α-catenin is shown to increase the electrical resistance across HUVEC monolayers and diminishes endogenous labile IQGAP1 at the intercellular junctions. Knockdown of endogenous IQGAP1 enhances intercellular adhesion in HUVECs by increasing the association of VE-cadherin with P120 and β-catenin. IQGAP1 knockdown also decreases the interaction of N-cadherin with P120 and β-catenin. Together, these results suggest that a labile pool of IQGAP1 at intercellular junctions disassembles adherens junctions and thus impairs endothelial cell-cell adhesion.
Cloning and Functional Characterization of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase from the Mediterranean Species of the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Complex
Authors: Wang Lan-Lan , Huang Huang , Zhang Chang-Rong , Xia Jun , Liu Shu-Sheng , Wang Xiao-Wei
Published: June 2013

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling is a highly conserved pathway that controls gene transcription in response to a wide variety of biological and environmental stresses. In this study, a JNK from the invasive Mediterranean (MED) species of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci complex was cloned and characterized. The full-length JNK cDNA of MED consists of 1565 bp, with an 1176 bp open reading frame encoding 392 amino acids. Comparison of JNK amino acid sequences among different species showed that the sequences of JNKs are highly conserved. To reveal its biological function, the gene expression and functional activation of JNK were analyzed during various stress conditions. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the relative expression level of JNK remained hardly unchanged when the insects were transferred from cotton (a suitable host plant) to tobacco (an unsuitable host plant), infected with bacteria and treated with high and low temperatures. However, the mRNA level of JNK significantly increased when treated with fungal pathogens. Furthermore, we found that the amount of phosphorylated JNK increased significantly after fungal infection, while there is no obvious change for phosphorylated p38 and ERK. Our results indicate that the whitefly JNK plays an important role in whitefly’s immune responses to fungal infection.
p38β, A Novel Regulatory Target of Pokemon in Hepatic Cells
Authors: Chen Zhe , Liu Feng , Zhang Nannan , Cao Deliang , Liu Min , Tan Ying , Jiang Yuyang
Published: June 2013

Pokemon is an important proto-oncogene involved in various biological processes and cancer development, such as cell differentiation, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Pokemon is recognized as a transcription factor localized upstream of several oncogenes, regulating their expression. p38MAPKs act as key regulatory factors in cellular signaling pathways associated with inflammatory responses, cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. p38β, a member of p38MAPK family, is closely correlated with tumorigenesis, but the mechanism of activation remains unclear. In this study, we found overexpression of Pokemon promoted the growth, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells. However, a p38 inhibitor SB202190 efficiently attenuated the promoting effect of Pokemon in the HepG2 cells. Targeted expression or silencing of Pokemon changed cellular p38β protein level and phosphorylation of downstream ATF2 in the p38 signaling pathway. Both dual luciferase report assay and ChIP assay suggested that p38β is a novel regulatory target of the transcription factor Pokemon and positively regulated by Pokemon in hepatic cells.
Colorectal Carcinogenesis: A Cellular Response to Sustained Risk Environment
Authors: Fung Kim , Ooi Cheng , Zucker Michelle , Lockett Trevor , Williams Desmond , Cosgrove Leah , Topping David
Published: June 2013

The current models for colorectal cancer (CRC) are essentially linear in nature with a sequential progression from adenoma through to carcinoma. However, these views of CRC development do not explain the full body of published knowledge and tend to discount environmental influences. This paper proposes that CRC is a cellular response to prolonged exposure to cytotoxic agents (e.g., free ammonia) as key events within a sustained high-risk colonic luminal environment. This environment is low in substrate for the colonocytes (short chain fatty acids, SCFA) and consequently of higher pH with higher levels of free ammonia and decreased mucosal oxygen supply as a result of lower visceral blood flow. All of these lead to greater and prolonged exposure of the colonic epithelium to a cytotoxic agent with diminished aerobic energy availability. Normal colonocytes faced with this unfavourable environment can transform into CRC cells for survival through epigenetic reprogramming to express genes which increase mobility to allow migration and proliferation. Recent data with high protein diets confirm that genetic damage can be increased, consistent with greater CRC risk. However, this damage can be reversed by increasing SCFA supply by feeding fermentable fibre as resistant starch or arabinoxylan. High protein, low carbohydrate diets have been shown to alter the colonic environment with lower butyrate levels and apparently greater mucosal exposure to ammonia, consistent with our hypothesis. Evidence is drawn from in vivo and in vitro genomic and biochemical studies to frame experiments to test this proposition.
First Insights into the Large Genome of Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc) Maxim, a Chinese Traditional Medicinal Plant
Authors: Liu Di , Zeng Shao-Hua , Chen Jian-Jun , Zhang Yan-Jun , Xiao Gong , Zhu Lin-Yao , Wang Ying
Published: June 2013

Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc) Maxim is a member of the Berberidaceae family of basal eudicot plants, widely distributed and used as a traditional medicinal plant in China for therapeutic effects on many diseases with a long history. Recent data shows that E. sagittatum has a relatively large genome, with a haploid genome size of ~4496 Mbp, divided into a small number of only 12 diploid chromosomes (2n = 2x = 12). However, little is known about Epimedium genome structure and composition. Here we present the analysis of 691 kb of high-quality genomic sequence derived from 672 randomly selected plasmid clones of E. sagittatum genomic DNA, representing ~0.0154% of the genome. The sampled sequences comprised at least 78.41% repetitive DNA elements and 2.51% confirmed annotated gene sequences, with a total GC% content of 39%. Retrotransposons represented the major class of transposable element (TE) repeats identified (65.37% of all TE repeats), particularly LTR (Long Terminal Repeat) retrotransposons (52.27% of all TE repeats). Chromosome analysis and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Gypsy-Ty3 retrotransposons were performed to survey the E. sagittatum genome at the cytological level. Our data provide the first insights into the composition and structure of the E. sagittatum genome, and will facilitate the functional genomic analysis of this valuable medicinal plant.
Complexes of Silver(I) Ions and Silver Phosphate Nanoparticles with Hyaluronic Acid and/or Chitosan as Promising Antimicrobial Agents for Vascular Grafts
Authors: Chudobova Dagmar , Nejdl Lukas , Gumulec Jaromir , Krystofova Olga , Rodrigo Miguel , Kynicky Jindrich , Ruttkay-Nedecky Branislav , Kopel Pavel , Babula Petr , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene
Published: June 2013

Polymers are currently widely used to replace a variety of natural materials with respect to their favourable physical and chemical properties, and due to their economic advantage. One of the most important branches of application of polymers is the production of different products for medical use. In this case, it is necessary to face a significant disadvantage of polymer products due to possible and very common colonization of the surface by various microorganisms that can pose a potential danger to the patient. One of the possible solutions is to prepare polymer with antibacterial/antimicrobial properties that is resistant to bacterial colonization. The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of antimicrobial polymeric material ideal for covering vascular implants with subsequent use in transplant surgery. Therefore, the complexes of polymeric substances (hyaluronic acid and chitosan) with silver nitrate or silver phosphate nanoparticles were created, and their effects on gram-positive bacterial culture of Staphylococcus aureus were monitored. Stages of formation of complexes of silver nitrate and silver phosphate nanoparticles with polymeric compounds were characterized using electrochemical and spectrophotometric methods. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of complexes was determined using the methods of determination of growth curves and zones of inhibition. The results of this study revealed that the complex of chitosan, with silver phosphate nanoparticles, was the most suitable in order to have an antibacterial effect on bacterial culture of Staphylococcus aureus. Formation of this complex was under way at low concentrations of chitosan. The results of electrochemical determination corresponded with the results of spectrophotometric methods and verified good interaction and formation of the complex. The complex has an outstanding antibacterial effect and this effect was of several orders higher compared to other investigated complexes.
The Effect of a Silver Nanoparticle Polysaccharide System on Streptococcal and Saliva-Derived Biofilms
Authors: Di Giulio Mara , Di Bartolomeo Soraya , Di Campli Emanuela , Sancilio Silvia , Marsich Eleonora , Travan Andrea , Cataldi Amelia , Cellini Luigina
Published: June 2013

In this work, we studied the antimicrobial properties of a nanocomposite system based on a lactose-substituted chitosan and silver nanoparticles: Chitlac-nAg. Twofold serial dilutions of the colloidal Chitlac-nAg solution were both tested on Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus oralis planktonic phase and biofilm growth mode as well as on saliva samples. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of Chitlac-nAg were evaluated together with its effect on sessile cell viability, as well as both on biofilm formation and on preformed biofilm. In respect to the planktonic bacteria, Chitlac-nAg showed an inhibitory/bactericidal effect against all streptococcal strains at 0.1% (v/v), except for S. mitis ATCC 6249 that was inhibited at one step less. On preformed biofilm, Chitlac-nAg at a value of 0.2%, was able to inhibit the bacterial growth on the supernatant phase as well as on the mature biofilm. For S. mitis ATCC 6249, the biofilm inhibitory concentration of Chitlac-nAg was 0.1%. At sub-inhibitory concentrations, the Streptococcal strains adhesion capability on a polystyrene surface showed a general reduction following a concentration-dependent-way; a similar effect was obtained for the metabolic biofilm activity. From these results, Chitlac-nAg seems to be a promising antibacterial and antibiofilm agent able to hinder plaque formation.
Interpreting the Possible Ecological Role(s) of Cyanotoxins: Compounds for Competitive Advantage and/or Physiological Aide?
Authors: Holland Aleicia , Kinnear Susan
Published: June 2013

To date, most research on freshwater cyanotoxin(s) has focused on understanding the dynamics of toxin production and decomposition, as well as evaluating the environmental conditions that trigger toxin production, all with the objective of informing management strategies and options for risk reduction. Comparatively few research studies have considered how this information can be used to understand the broader ecological role of cyanotoxin(s), and the possible applications of this knowledge to the management of toxic blooms. This paper explores the ecological, toxicological, and genetic evidence for cyanotoxin production in natural environments. The possible evolutionary advantages of toxin production are grouped into two main themes: That of “competitive advantage” or “physiological aide”. The first grouping illustrates how compounds produced by cyanobacteria may have originated from the need for a cellular defence mechanism, in response to grazing pressure and/or resource competition. The second grouping considers the contribution that secondary metabolites make to improved cellular physiology, through benefits to homeostasis, photosynthetic efficiencies, and accelerated growth rates. The discussion also includes other factors in the debate about possible evolutionary roles for toxins, such as different modes of exposures and effects on non-target (i.e., non-competitive) species. The paper demonstrates that complex and multiple factors are at play in driving evolutionary processes in aquatic environments. This information may provide a fresh perspective on managing toxic blooms, including the need to use a “systems approach” to understand how physico-chemical conditions, as well biological stressors, interact to trigger toxin production.
Strategies for the Development of Conotoxins as New Therapeutic Leads
Authors: Brady Ryan , Baell Jonathan , Norton Raymond
Published: June 2013

Peptide toxins typically bind to their target ion channels or receptors with high potency and selectivity, making them attractive leads for therapeutic development. In some cases the native peptide as it is found in the venom from which it originates can be used directly, but in many instances it is desirable to truncate and/or stabilize the peptide to improve its therapeutic properties. A complementary strategy is to display the key residues that make up the pharmacophore of the peptide toxin on a non-peptidic scaffold, thereby creating a peptidomimetic. This review exemplifies these approaches with peptide toxins from marine organisms, with a particular focus on conotoxins.
A New Resveratrol Trimer from the Roots and Stems of Vitis wenchowensis
Authors: Gu Binbin , Xu Yaru , He Shan
Published: June 2013

Phytochemical constituents of Vitis wenchowensis were investigated for the first time. A new resveratrol trimer, wenchowenol (1), was isolated from the roots and stems of Vitis wenchowensis along with four known stilbenoids 2–5. The structure and relative configuration of 1 were established on the basis of spectral evidence, especially HMBC and NOESY experiments. It showed potent antioxidant activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical.
Spectroscopic and Theoretical Studies of Some 3-(4′-Substituted phenylsulfanyl)-1-methyl-2-piperidones
Authors: Olivato Paulo , Santos Jean , Contieri Bruna , Cerqueira Carlos , Rodrigues Daniel , Vinhato Elisângela , Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Colle Maurizio
Published: June 2013

The analysis of the IR carbonyl bands of some 3-(4′-substituted phenylsulfanyl)-1-methyl-2-piperidones 1–6 bearing substituents: NO2 (compound 1), Br (compound 2), Cl (compound 3), H (compound 4) Me (compound 5) and OMe (compound 6) supported by B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) and PCM calculations along with NBO analysis (for compound 4) and X-ray diffraction (for 2) indicated the existence of two stable conformations, i.e., axial (ax) and equatorial (eq), the former corresponding to the most stable and the least polar one in the gas phase calculations. The sum of the energy contributions of the orbital interactions (NBO analysis) and the electrostatic interactions correlate well with the populations and the νCO frequencies of the ax and eq conformers found in the gas phase. Unusually, in solution of the non-polar solvents n-C6H14 and CCl4, the more intense higher IR carbonyl frequency can be ascribed to the ax conformer, while the less intense lower IR doublet component to the eq one. The same νCO frequency trend also holds in polar solvents, that is νCO (eq)< νCO (ax). However, a reversal of the ax/eq intensity ratio occurs going from non-polar to polar solvents, with the ax conformer component that progressively decreases with respect to the eq one in CHCl3 and CH2Cl2, and is no longer detectable in the most polar solvent CH3CN. The PCM method applied to compound 4 supports these findings. In fact, it predicts the progressive increase of the eq/ax population ratio as the relative permittivity of the solvent increases. Moreover, it indicates that the computed νCO frequencies of the ax and eq conformers do not change in the non–polar solvents n-C6H14 and CCl4, while the νCO frequencies of the eq conformer become progressively lower than that of the ax one going from CHCl3 to CH2Cl2 and to CH3CN, in agreement with the experimental IR values. The analysis of the geometries of the ax and eq conformers shows that the carbonyl oxygen atom of the eq conformer is free for solvation, while the O[CO]…H[o-Ph] hydrogen bond that takes place in the ax conformer partially hinders the approach of the solvent molecules to the carbonyl oxygen atom. Therefore, the larger solvation that occurs in the carbonyl oxygen atom of the eq conformer is responsible for the observed and calculated decrease of the corresponding frequency. The X-ray single crystal analysis of 2 indicates that this compound adopts the most polar eq geometry in the solid. In fact, in order to obtain the largest energy gain, the molecules are arranged in the crystal in a helical fashion due to dipole moment coupling along with C-H…O and C-H…πPh hydrogen bonds.
Anxiolytic-Like and Antinociceptive Effects of 2(S)-Neoponcirin in Mice
Authors: Cassani Julia , Araujo Anna , Martínez-Vázquez Mariano , Manjarrez Norberto , Moreno Julia , Estrada-Reyes Rosa
Published: June 2013

Study aims: 2(S)-neopincirin (NEO) is a constituent from of Clinopodium mexicanum, which is used in traditional Mexican herbal medicine for its tranquilizing and analgesic properties. This study investigated the anxiolytic-like, sedative and antinociceptive effects of NEO in several mice models. Material and methods: The anxiolytic-like effect was evaluated in the hole-board (HBT) and Open Field Tests (OFT); sedative effect was evaluated in sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital, and its antinociceptive actions were measured in the hot plate test. To evaluate if the GABA receptor could be involved in the anxiolytic-like effect produced by NEO, in independent experiments, the effects produced by co-administration of NEO plus muscimol (MUS) and NEO plus Pitrotoxin (PTX) were evaluated in the HBT. Results: NEO was isolated from Clinopodium mexicanum leaves. The NMR, MS and optic rotation data helped establish its identity as (2S)-5-hydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone-7-O-{β-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-rhamnoside}. NEO showed an anxiolytic-like effect and was able to counter the nociception induced by a thermal stimulus in a dose-dependent manner. PTX blocked the anxiolytic-like effect of NEO, while MUS was able to enhance it. Conclusions: The findings of present work demonstrated that NEO possesses anxiolytic-like and antinociceptive effects in mice. Such effects are not associated with changes in the locomotor activity. These results supported the notion that anxiolytic-like effect of NEO involves the participation of GABAergic system.
Comparison of Typhoon Locations over Ocean Surface Observed by Various Satellite Sensors
Authors: Pan Yufang , Liu Antony , He Shuangyan , Yang Jingsong , He Ming-Xia
Published: June 2013

In this study, typhoon eyes have been delineated using wavelet analysis from the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of ocean surface roughness and from the warm area at the cloud top in the infrared (IR) images, respectively. Envisat SAR imagery, and multi-functional transport satellite (MTSAT) and Feng Yun (FY)-2 Chinese meteorological satellite IR imagery were used to examine the typhoons in the western North Pacific from 2005 to 2011. Three cases of various typhoons in different years, locations, and conditions have been used to compare the typhoon eyes derived from SAR (on the ocean surface) with IR (at the cloud-top level) images. Furthermore, the best track data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA), and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are checked for the calibration. Because of the vertical wind shear, which acts as an upright tilt, the location of the typhoon eye on the ocean surface differs from that at the top of the clouds. Consequently, the large horizontal distance between typhoon eyes on the ocean surface and on the cloud top implies that the associated vertical wind shear profile is considerably more complex than generally expected. This result demonstrates that SAR can be a useful tool for typhoon monitoring study over the ocean surface.
D-MSR: A Distributed Network Management Scheme for Real-Time Monitoring and Process Control Applications in Wireless Industrial Automation
Authors: Zand Pouria , Dilo Arta , Havinga Paul
Published: June 2013

Current wireless technologies for industrial applications, such as WirelessHART and ISA100.11a, use a centralized management approach where a central network manager handles the requirements of the static network. However, such a centralized approach has several drawbacks. For example, it cannot cope with dynamicity/disturbance in large-scale networks in a real-time manner and it incurs a high communication overhead and latency for exchanging management traffic. In this paper, we therefore propose a distributed network management scheme, D-MSR. It enables the network devices to join the network, schedule their communications, establish end-to-end connections by reserving the communication resources for addressing real-time requirements, and cope with network dynamicity (e.g., node/edge failures) in a distributed manner. According to our knowledge, this is the first distributed management scheme based on IEEE 802.15.4e standard, which guides the nodes in different phases from joining until publishing their sensor data in the network. We demonstrate via simulation that D-MSR can address real-time and reliable communication as well as the high throughput requirements of industrial automation wireless networks, while also achieving higher efficiency in network management than WirelessHART, in terms of delay and overhead.
Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Dibutyl Phthalate in Liquor
Authors: Kuang Hua , Liu Liqiang , Xu Liguang , Ma Wei , Guo Lingling , Wang Libing , Xu Chuanlai
Published: June 2013

A monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was prepared based on a hapten (di-n-butyl-4-aminophthalate). After optimizing various parameters such as concentrations of antibody, coating antigen and composition of the assay buffer, an inhibition curve was plotted with the 50% inhibition concentration value (IC50) 33.6 ± 2.5 ng/mL. A low level of cross-reactivity (<5%) was found for other phthalate esters. Recovery tests were conducted using liquor simulant (a mixture of water and ethanol) at two fortification levels (100 ng/mL and 300 ng/mL). The recovery rates ranged from 84.7% to 94.5% with a coefficient of variation between 7.1% and 12.8%. Nine liquor samples of different alcoholic strengths were detected using the proposed measure and confirmatory analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). The detection results showed good consistency between the two measures and all the data above indicated that the proposed ELISA could be applied in DBP screening.