bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and [2+2] Cycloaddition with Tetracyanoethylene of Ene–Diyne Scaffolds Bearing Ferrocenes at the Periphery
Authors: Shoji Taku , Ito Shunji , Okujima Tetsuo , Morita Noboru
Published: July 2011

The ene–diyne systems 1 and 2, possessing ferrocenyl groups at the periphery, were prepared by a simple one‐pot Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reaction of ethynylferrocene with 9‐dibromomethylene‐9H‐fluorene (4) and 9,10‐bis(dibromomethylene)‐9,10‐dihydroanthracene (5). Ene–diyne 1 reacted with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in a formal [2+2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by ring opening of the initially formed [2+2] cycloadduct, cyclobutene, to afford the corresponding 1,1,4,4‐tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) derivative 6 in good yield. The redox behavior of the ene–diyne compounds 1 and 2, and the TCBD derivative 6 was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed their electrochemical oxidation properties with multi‐electron transfer depending on the number of ferrocene units in the molecule, in addition to the two‐electron reduction of the TCBD moiety in the case of TCBD derivative 6. Moreover, a significant color change was observed by visible spectroscopy under electrochemical oxidation conditions and under reduction conditions in the case of TCBD derivative 6.
Motivational underpinnings of social influence in work settings: Bases of social power and the need for cognitive closure
Authors: Pierro Antonio , Kruglanski Arie W. , Raven Bertram H.
Published: July 2011

This research explored the notion that the use and efficacy of influence tactics launched from different social power bases depends on influence agents' and recipients' need for cognitive closure. In three separate studies conducted in diverse organizational contexts, it was found that, while overall participants exhibited a preference for soft over hard social influence tactics, this preference becomes less pronounced for supervisors high (versus low) on need for closure and becomes more pronounced for supervisors low on the need for closure. Overall, soft tactics were more beneficial for subordinates' performance than hard tactics; however, the benefits of soft tactics decreased as a function of subordinates' need for closure. Finally, organizational outcomes were improved when recipients who were high (versus low) on the need for closure were exposed to “hard” power tactics and those low (versus high) in the need for closure were exposed to “soft” tactics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of Candidate Genes with Phenotypic Traits Relevant to Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Root Tammy L. , Szatkiewicz Jin P. , Jonassaint Charles R. , Thornton Laura M. , Pinheiro Andrea Poyastro , Strober Michael , Bloss Cinnamon , Berrettini Wade , Schork Nicholas J. , Kaye Walter H. , Bergen Andrew W. , Magistretti Pierre , Brandt Harry , Crawford Steve , Crow Scott , Fichter Manfred M. , Goldman David , Halmi Katherine A. , Johnson Craig , Kaplan Allan S. , Keel Pamela K. , Klump Kelly L. , La Via Maria , Mitchell James E. , Rotondo Alessandro , Treasure Janet , Woodside D. Blake , Bulik Cynthia M.
Published: July 2011

This analysis is a follow‐up to an earlier investigation of 182 genes selected as likely candidate genetic variations conferring susceptibility to anorexia nervosa (AN). As those initial case–control results revealed no statistically significant differences in single nucleotide polymorphisms, herein, we investigate alternative phenotypes associated with AN. In 1762 females, using regression analyses, we examined the following: (i) lowest illness‐related attained body mass index; (ii) age at menarche; (iii) drive for thinness; (iv) body dissatisfaction; (v) trait anxiety; (vi) concern over mistakes; and (vii) the anticipatory worry and pessimism versus uninhibited optimism subscale of the harm avoidance scale. After controlling for multiple comparisons, no statistically significant results emerged. Although results must be viewed in the context of limitations of statistical power, the approach illustrates a means of potentially identifying genetic variants conferring susceptibility to AN because less complex phenotypes associated with AN are more proximal to the genotype and may be influenced by fewer genes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Screening of multiple hormonal activities in surface water and sediment from the Pearl River system, South China, using effect-directed in vitro bioassays
Authors: Zhao Jian-Liang , Ying Guang-Guo , Yang Bin , Liu Shan , Zhou Li-Jun , Chen Zhi-Feng , Lai Hua-Jie
Published: July 2011

This paper reports screening of multiple hormonal activities (estrogenic and androgenic activities, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activities) for surface water and sediment from the Pearl River system (Liuxi, Zhujiang, and Shijing rivers) in South China, using in vitro recombinant yeast bioassays. The detection frequencies for estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities were both 100% in surface water and 81 and 93% in sediment, respectively. The levels of estrogenic activity were 0.23 to 324 ng 17β-estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ)/L in surface water and 0 to 101 ng EEQ/g in sediment. Antiandrogenic activities were in the range of 20.4 to 935 × 103 ng flutamide equivalent concentration (FEQ)/L in surface water and 0 to 154 × 103 ng FEQ/g in sediment. Moreover, estrogenic activity and antiandrogenic activity in sediment showed good correlation (R2 = 0.7187), suggesting that the agonists of estrogen receptor and the antagonists of androgen receptor co-occurred in sediment. The detection frequencies for androgenic and antiestrogenic activities were 41 and 29% in surface water and 61 and 4% in sediment, respectively. The levels of androgenic activities were 0 to 45.4 ng dihydrotestosterone equivalent concentration (DEQ)/L in surface water, and the potency was very weak in the only detected sediment site. The levels of antiestrogenic activity were 0 to 1,296 × 103 ng tamoxifen equivalent concentration (TEQ)/L in surface water and 0 to 89.5 × 103 ng TEQ/g in sediment. The Shijing River displayed higher levels of hormonal activities than the Zhujiang and Liuxi rivers, indicating that the Shijing River had been suffering from heavy contamination with endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The equivalent concentrations of hormonal activities in some sites were greater than the lowest-observed-effect concentrations reported in the literature, suggesting potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2208–2215. © 2011 SETAC
On the pressure approximation in nonstationary incompressible flow simulations on dynamically varying spatial meshes
Authors: Besier Michael , Wollner Winnifried
Published: July 2011

The subject of this paper is a defect in the approximation of the pressure on dynamically changing spatial meshes in the computation of nonstationary incompressible flows. The observed behavior is due to the fact that discrete solenoidal fields lose this property under changes of the spatial discretization. This phenomenon is analyzed for DG finite element discretizations in time, and possible ways are considered to circumvent this problem. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Break Detectability and Mean Square Forecast Error Ratios for Selecting Estimation Windows
Authors: Ahumada Hildegart A.
Published: July 2011

It has been suggested that a major problem for window selection when we estimate models for forecasting is to empirically determine the timing of the break. However, if the window choice between post‐break or full sample is based on mean square forecast error ratios, it is difficult to understand why such a problem arises since break detectability and these ratios seem to have the same determinants. This paper analyses this issue first for the expected values in conditional models and then by Monte Carlo simulations for more general cases. Results show similar behaviour between rejection frequencies and the ratios but only for break tests that do not take into account forecasting error covariances, as is the case with mean square forecast error measures. Moreover, the asymmetric shape of the frequency distribution of the ratios could help us to better grasp empirical problems. An illustration using actual data is given. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTARY HEALTH INSURANCE ON HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION AND OUT‐OF‐POCKET PAYMENTS: NEW EVIDENCE FOR VIETNAM
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Viet
Published: July 2011

Vietnam aims to achieve full coverage of health insurance in 2015. An increasing type of health insurance in Vietnam is voluntary health insurance. Although there are many studies on the implementation of voluntary health insurance in Vietnam, little is known on the causal impact of voluntary health insurance. This paper measures the impact of voluntary health insurance on health care utilization and out‐of‐pocket payments using Vietnam Household Living Standard Surveys in 2004 and 2006. It was found out that voluntary health insurance helps the insured people increase the annual outpatient and inpatient visits by around 45% and 70%, respectively. However, the effect of voluntary health insurance on out‐of‐pocket expenses on health care services is not statistically significant. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Upregulation of prostate‐derived Ets factor by luteolin causes inhibition of cell proliferation and cell invasion in prostate carcinoma cells
Authors: Tsui Ke‐Hung , Chung Li‐Chuan , Feng Tsui‐Hsia , Chang Phei‐Lang , Juang Horng‐Heng
Published: July 2011

Luteolin is a polyphenolic flavone and has antitumor activity for many cancers. The prostate‐derived Ets factor (PDEF), a novel epithelium‐specific Ets transcription factor, acts as an androgen‐independent transcriptional activator of the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) promoter. We determined the antitumor function of luteolin via upregulation of PDEF gene expression in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. Results from flow cytometry and 3H‐thymidine incorporation assays revealed that luteolin treatments attenuated cell proliferation and arrested the cell cycle at the G1/S phase. High concentration of luteolin (30 μM) induced cell apoptosis. Immunoblot assays and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay revealed that luteolin treatment upregulated PDEF but downregulated androgen receptor (AR) gene expression, which decreased PSA gene expression in LNCaP cells. Results of immunoblot and transient gene expression assays revealed that luteolin treatments at proapoptosis dosage, enhanced gene expression of PDEF, B‐cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2), N‐myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) and Maspin. Transient gene expression assays indicated that cotransfection of the PDEF expression vector enhanced the promoter activities of the BTG2, NDRG1 and Maspin genes. Stable overexpression of PDEF significantly induced BTG2, NDRG1 and Maspin gene expression, which markedly attenuated in vitro cell proliferation and invasion of LNCaP cells. The modulatory effect of luteolin on BTG2, NDRG1 and Maspin gene expression were attenuated when PDEF was knocked‐down. These results suggest that luteolin blocks PSA gene expression by downregulation of AR expression. The enhancement of PDEF expression, which induced BTG2, NDRG1 and Maspin gene expression, could account for the function of luteolin for antiproliferation and anti‐invasion in LNCaP cells.
Use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and risk of basal cell carcinoma in the United States radiologic technologists study
Authors: Cahoon Elizabeth K. , Rajaraman Preetha , Alexander Bruce H. , Doody Michele M. , Linet Martha S. , Freedman D. Michal
Published: July 2011

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with reduced risk of colorectal and other cancers, but the association with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is unclear. Previous epidemiological studies have been small in size, conducted in especially vulnerable populations, or have not accounted for solar ultraviolet exposure, a major risk factor for BCC. In the United States Radiologic Technologists cohort, we followed subjects to assess NSAID use on risk of first incident BCC. We included Caucasian participants who responded to both second and third questionnaires (administered from 1994 to 1998 and 2003 to 2005, respectively), and who reported no cancer at the time of the second questionnaire, N = 58,213. BCC, constituent risk factors (e.g., eye color, complexion, hair color) and sun exposure history were assessed through self‐administered survey. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models. Of the 58,213 people in the study population, 2,291 went on to develop BCC. Any NSAID use was not associated with subsequent incidence of BCC (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.92–1.16) after adjusting for age, sex and estimated lifetime summer sun exposure. Neither association was observed when stratified by NSAID type (aspirin and other NSAIDs), nor did dose–response patterns emerge by frequency of use (average days per month). Further analyses did not reveal interaction with sex, birth cohort, smoking, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, occupational radiation exposure or personal risk factors for BCC. In this large nationwide study, we observed no association between NSAID use and subsequent BCC risk.
Diagnostic performance of one‐step nucleic acid amplification for intraoperative sentinel node metastasis detection in breast cancer patients
Authors: Le Frère‐Belda Marie‐Aude , Bats Anne‐Sophie , Gillaizeau Florence , Poulet Bruno , Clough Krishna B. , Nos Claude , Peoc'h Michel , Seffert Pierre , Bouteille Catherine , Leroux Agnès , Guillemin François , Blanc‐Fournier Cécile , Crouet Hubert , Arnould Laurent , Cuisenier Jean , Penault‐Llorca Frédérique , Gimbergues Pierre , Jacquemier Jocelyne , Houvenaeghel Gilles , Chatellier Gilles , Lécuru Fabrice
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to assess one‐step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) for intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis detection in breast cancer patients, using final histology as the reference standard. OSNA results were also compared to intraoperative histology SLN evaluation and to standard clinicopathological risk markers. For this study, fresh SLNs were cut in four blocks, and alternate blocks were used for OSNA and histology. CK19 mRNA copy number was categorized as strongly positive, positive or negative. Positive histology was defined as presence of macrometastasis or micrometastasis. When discrepancies occurred, the entire SLNs were subjected to histological studies and the node lysates to additional molecular studies. Five hundred three SLN samples from 233 patients were studied. Mean time to evaluate two SLNs was 40 min. Sensitivity per patient was 91.4% (95% CI, 76.9–98.2%), specificity 93.3% (95% CI, 88.6–96.6%), positive likelihood ratio 13.7 and negative likelihood ratio 0.1. Sensitivity was 63.6% for frozen sections and 47.1% for touch imprint cytology. Both methods were 100% specific. Positive histology and positive OSNA were significantly associated with highest clinical stage, N1 status and vascular invasion; and OSNA results correlated with HER2/neu status and benefited patients with negative histology. These findings show that OSNA assay can allow detection of SLN metastasis in breast cancer patients intraoperatively with a good sensitivity, thus minimizing the need for second surgeries for axillary lymph node detection.
PED/PEA‐15 controls fibroblast motility and wound closure by ERK1/2‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Buonomo Roberta , Giacco Ferdinando , Vasaturo Angela , Caserta Sergio , Guido Stefano , Pagliara Valentina , Garbi Corrado , Mansueto Gelsomina , Cassese Angela , Perruolo Giuseppe , Oriente Francesco , Miele Claudia , Beguinot Francesco , Formisano Pietro
Published: July 2011

Cell migration is dependent on the control of signaling events that play significant roles in creating contractile force and in contributing to wound closure. We evaluated wound closure in fibroblasts from mice overexpressing (TgPED) or lacking ped/pea‐15 (KO), a gene overexpressed in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cultured skin fibroblasts isolated from TgPED mice showed a significant reduction in the ability to recolonize wounded area during scratch assay, compared to control fibroblasts. This difference was observed both in the absence and in the presence of mytomicin C, an inhibitor of mitosis. In time‐lapse experiments, TgPED fibroblasts displayed about twofold lower velocity and diffusion coefficient, as compared to controls. These changes were accompanied by reduced spreading and decreased formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion plaques. At the molecular level, TgPED fibroblasts displayed decreased RhoA activation and increased abundance of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by PD98059 restored RhoA activation, cytoskeleton organization and cell motility, and almost completely rescued wound closure of TgPED fibroblasts. Interestingly, skin fibroblasts isolated from KO mice displayed an increased wound closure ability. In vivo, healing of dorsal wounds was delayed in TgPED and accelerated in KO mice. Thus, PED/PEA‐15 may affect fibroblast motility by a mechanism, at least in part, mediated by ERK1/2. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2106–2116, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extensions of Gallai–Ramsey results
Authors: Fujita Shinya , Magnant Colton
Published: July 2011

Consider the graph consisting of a triangle with a pendant edge. We describe the structure of rainbow ‐free edge colorings of a complete graph and provide some corresponding Gallai–Ramsey results. In particular, we extend a result of Gallai to find a partition of the vertices of a rainbow ‐free colored complete graph with a limited number of colors between the parts. We also extend some Gallai–Ramsey results of Chung and Graham, Faudree et al. and Gyárfás et al. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory
BRIDGING TROUBLED WORLDS? AN ANALYSIS OF THE ETHICAL CASE FOR SOUTH KOREAN AID
Authors: Kim Soyeun
Published: July 2011

This article critically assesses an ethical case of emerging donors via a case study of South Korea's official development assistance. In so doing, the article sets out two tasks: (i) overcoming the hitherto reductionist reading of emerging donors that uses the established normative framework as a reference point and (ii) addressing a relatively understudied topic of emerging donors within the mainstream aid–ethics debates. To attend to these analytical gaps, the article focuses on two things. First, the case study is discussed within Korea's own historical and institutional context to highlight the latter's significant influence on the way its ethical case for aid provision is presented. Second, this study focuses on the tensions between the stated ethical rhetoric and reality. This study finds that the ethical case is not only an important rationale for Korea's donorship but also strategic for its efforts to achieve the comparative advantage in the increasingly competitive international aid market to advance its national interests. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversity analysis of type I ketosynthase in rhizosphere soil of cucumber
Authors: Zhao Baixia , Gao Zenggui , Shao Yang , Yan Jianfang , Hu Yingchang , Yu Jicheng , Liu Qiu , Chen Fei
Published: July 2011

Fusarium wilt [Fusarium oxysporum (Sch1.) f.sp. cucumerinum Owen.] is a major soil‐borne disease of cucumber worldwide, and can cause huge yield losses. Biological control of Fusarium wilt of cucumber has received considerable attention. Many bacteria, particularly actinomycetes, are known to produce secondary metabolites synthesized by Polyketide synthases (PKSs) with a diverse range of biological activities.

Ketosynthase (KS) gene diversity was analyzed in samples which were collected from rhizosphere soil of both diseased cucumber and healthy cucumber in Dalian, China. The phylogenetic analysis amino acid (AA) sequences indicated that the KS genes in the rhizosphere soil samples were clustered into diverse seven clades, including Sorangium cellulosum, Anabaena variabilis, Nostoc punctiforme, Xanthobacter autotrophicus, Streptomyces, myxobacteria and uncultured bacteria. Among seven major clades in the phylogenetic tree, two clades were peculiar to rhizosphere soil of diseased cucumber and one was peculiar to healthy cucumber. Among the 182 cloned KS genes, 147 KS genes were clustered with the uncultured bacteria group. Most of the KS genes showed about 80% similarity at the AA level to sequences known in GenBank. These results revealed the great diversity and novelty of KS genes in rhizosphere soil of cucumber. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Purification and characterization of a protease produced by Bacillus megaterium RRM2: application in detergent and dehairing industries
Authors: Rajkumar Renganathan , Jayappriyan Kothilmozhian Ranishree , Rengasamy Ramasamy
Published: July 2011

An alkaline serine protease produced by Bacillus megaterium RRM2 isolated from the red alga, Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex Silva was studied for the first time and the same analyzed for the production of protease in the present study. Identification of the bacterium was done on the basis of both biochemical analysis and by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The extracellular protease obtained from B. megaterium RRM2 was purified by a three‐step process involving ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration (Sephadex G100) and Q‐Sepharose column chromatography. The purity was found to be 30.6‐fold with a specific activity of 3591.5 U/mg protein with a molecular weight of 27 kDa. The metal ions Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+ marginally enhanced the activity of the purified enzyme while Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, CO2+ and Zn2+, had reduced the activity. The enzyme was found to be active in the pH range of 9.0–10.0 and remained active up to 60 °C. Phenyl Methyl Sulfonyl Fluoride (PMSF) inhibited the enzyme activity, thus, confirming that this enzyme is an alkaline serine protease. Likewise, DTT also inhibited the enzyme thus confirming the disulfide nature of the enzyme. The enzyme exhibited a high degree of tolerance to Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS). The partially purified protease when used as an additive in the commercial detergents was found to be a suitable source for washing clothes especially those stained with blood. Further, it showed good dehairing activity within a short duration in goat skin without affecting its collagen component. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Transesterification of used edible and non‐edible oils to alkyl esters by Aspergillus sp. as a whole cell catalyst
Authors: Prakash Ranjana , Aulakh Satnam S.
Published: July 2011

Aspergillus sp. (MTCC 5436), isolated from contaminated clarified butter was used as a whole cell catalyst for transesterification of oils from different sources. The strain was observed to be tolerant and grow in 90% oil as carbon source. Oils of Jathropa, karanj and spent cottonseed were used as carbon sources in the study. The product, alkyl ester, was characterized and quantified using 1H‐NMR. The strain was observed to facilitate transesterification in an oil:minimal medium with the ratio of 70:30 resulting in a 98% conversion of oil to ethyl esters within 48 h at 28 °C and 120 rpm. The physico‐chemical characteristics of the ethyl ester (>98%) at 70% oil as carbon source were similar to the standards specified for biodiesel as per standards of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cloning and characterization of the gene for the iron‐sulfur subunit of succinate dehydrogenase from the violet root rot fungus, Helicobasidium mompa
Authors: Kano Sanae , Akagi Kotaro , Kanematsu Satoko , Morinaga Tsutomu
Published: July 2011

The sdhB gene, encoding the iron‐sulfur protein (Ip) subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh, EC 1.3.99.1), has been cloned from the violet root rot fungus, Helicobasidium mompa, and characterized. The promoter region contains a CCAAT box, TATA‐like box, and CT‐rich region. The gene is interrupted by eight introns and is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 291 amino acid residues. The putative amino acid sequence of the encoded product of sdhB gene from H. mompa shows high homology to the other known sdhB genes and is 79% identical to the Ip subunit of SdhB of Uromyces fabae. Three cysteine‐rich clusters associated with the iron‐sulfur centers involved in electron transport were particularly well conserved. One of these clusters contains a critical histidine residue implicated in carboxin sensitivity in the basidiomycetes. Only one copy of the gene was present in the genome of H. mompa, and reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR analysis of mRNA expression showed that the sdhB gene was transcribed in potato dextrose broth. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Production of 2,3‐butanediol from glucose by GRAS microorganism Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Authors: Yang Taowei , Rao Zhiming , Zhang Xian , Lin Qing , Xia Haifeng , Xu Zhenghong , Yang Shangtian
Published: July 2011

In the current study, a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens producing 2,3‐butanediol (2,3‐BD) designated as B10‐127 was isolated in our lab. The strain B10‐127 produced 2,3‐BD effectively under the condition of 20% glucose (quality concentration), showed a high‐glucose tolerance. The effects of initial glucose concentration, temperature, pH and agitation on 2,3‐BD production were investigated in this work and the proper parameters were identified. Accordingly, the fed‐batch culture of B10‐127 in larger scales (5 l) showed a remarkable 2,3‐BD producing potency. The maximum 2,3‐BD concentration reached 92.3 g/l at 96 h with a 2,3‐BD productivity of 0.96 g/l h. To our knowledge, the results were new records on 2,3‐BD fermentation by Bacillus, which shown an excellent candidate for the microbial fermentation of 2,3‐BD on an industrial scale. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The small molecular mass antifungal protein of Penicillium chrysogenum – a mechanism of action oriented review
Authors: Hegedűs Nikoletta , Leiter Éva , Kovács Barbara , Tomori Valéria , Kwon Nak‐Jung , Emri Tamás , Marx Florentine , Batta Gyula , Csernoch László , Haas Hubertus , Yu Jae‐Hyuk , Pócsi István
Published: July 2011

The β‐lactam producing filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum secretes a 6.25 kDa small molecular mass antifungal protein, PAF, which has a highly stable, compact 3D structure and is effective against a wide spectrum of plant and zoo pathogenic fungi. Its precise physiological functions and mode of action need to be elucidated before considering possible biomedical, agricultural or food technological applications. According to some more recent experimental data, PAF plays an important role in the fine‐tuning of conidiogenesis in Penicillium chrysogenum. PAF triggers apoptotic cell death in sensitive fungi, and cell death signaling may be transmitted through two‐component systems, heterotrimeric G protein coupled signal transduction and regulatory networks as well as via alteration of the Ca2+‐homeostasis of the cells. Possible biotechnological applications of PAF are also outlined in the review. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cloning and transcription analysis of the Candida rugosa propionyl‐CoA dehydrogenase gene and its expression in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Zhou Feng‐Li , Zhang Ru‐Bing , Zhang Yong‐Guang , Zhang Fan , Zhu Jian‐Hang
Published: July 2011

The propionyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (PACD) gene was cloned from Candida rugosa by the cDNA RACE technique. The full cDNA of the PACD gene has a length of 1408 bp, which contains a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 1329 bp, coding for 442 amino acids. The cDNA of PACD was cloned into the expression plasmid pPIC9K and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni‐NTA affinity chromatography, and its size was observed to be approximately 49 kDa as estimated by SDS‐PAGE. Anti‐His antibodies were used to characterise the recombinant PACD by western‐blot analysis. The recombinant protein retained the activity of catalysing propionyl‐CoA to acryloyl‐CoA. The results of dot‐blotting hybridisation using a PACD cDNA probe indicated that the PACD mRNA level was modified at different stages: mRNA levels were low for the first 36 h, then increased through 48 h and eventually reached a stable level. These results indicate that propionate induction could significantly activate PACD mRNA expression. Information from this study will be helpful in elucidating the metabolic pathway for 3‐hydroxypropionic acid production in C. rugosa. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bacterial communities in the gut of the freshwater copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis
Authors: Homonnay Zalán G. , Kéki Zsuzsa , Márialigeti Károly , Tóth Erika M.
Published: July 2011

Eudiaptomus gracilis is the most abundant member of the zooplankton, plays a key role in the food web of Lake Balaton (Hungary). In the present study the composition of bacterial communities of this copepod was investigated based on cultivation and molecular cloning. The cultivated bacterial strains from the gut homogenate samples of Eudiaptomus gracilis belonged to four different clades: Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteriodetes and Proteobacteria. Clone library showed high species diversity, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, representatives of Deinococcus‐Thermus lineage and Cyanobacteria were detected. The isolated strains were very effective in degradation of different biopolymers. Many of the detected bacteria are known as opportunistic human or fish pathogens (Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., Chryseobacterium sp. and Staphylococcus sp.). (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identification and characterization of gushing‐active hydrophobins from Fusarium graminearum and related species
Authors: Sarlin Tuija , Kivioja Teemu , Kalkkinen Nisse , Linder Markus B. , Nakari‐Setälä Tiina
Published: July 2011

Fungal infection of barley and malt, particularly by the Fusarium species, is a direct cause of spontaneous overfoaming of beer, referred to as gushing. We have shown previously that small fungal proteins, hydrophobins, act as gushing‐inducing factors in beer. The aim of our present study was to isolate and characterize hydrophobins from a gushing‐active fungus, Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae) and related species. We generated profile hidden Markov models (profile HMMs) for the hydrophobin classes Ia, Ib and II from the multiple sequence alignments of their known members available in public domain databases. We searched the published Fusarium graminearum genome with the Markov models. The best matching sequences and the corresponding genes were isolated from F. graminearum and the related species F. culmorum and F. poae by PCR and characterized. One each of the putative F. graminearum and F. poae hydrophobin genes were expressed in the heterologous host Trichoderma reesei. The proteins corresponding to the genes were purified and identified as hydrophobins and named GzHYD5 and FpHYD5, respectively. Concentrations of 0.003 ppm of these hydrophobins were observed to induce vigorous beer gushing. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Application of response surface analysis for biodegradation of azo reactive textile dye using Aspergillus foetidus
Authors: Sharma Praveen , Singh Lakhvinder
Published: July 2011

This paper reports the application of experimental design methodology for the optimization of decolourization of azo reactive textile dye Remazol Red RR and reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) using fungal isolate Aspergillus foetidus. Response surface methodology (RSM), involving central composite design matrix in three most important input variables; temperature, pH and initial dye concentration was employed. A total of 20 experiments were conducted in the study towards the construction of a quadratic model. This demonstrated the benefits of approach in achieving excellent predictions, while minimizing the number of experiments required. Very high regression coefficient between the variables and the responses indicated excellent evaluation of experimental data. Under optimized conditions fungal isolate was capable to decolourize Remazol Red RR up to 86.21% and COD reduction up to 55.43% was achieved during the experimental setup. Enzymatic activity indicated excellent outcome under the optimal process conditions. The experimental values agreed with the predicted ones, indicating suitability of the model and success of RSM approach in optimizing the process. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of genotype and environment on the concentrations of starch and protein in, and the physicochemical properties of starch from, field pea and fababean
Authors: Hood‐Niefer Shannon D , Warkentin Thomas D , Chibbar Ravindra N , Vandenberg Albert , Tyler Robert T
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: The effects of genotype and environment and their interaction on the concentrations of starch and protein in, and the amylose content and thermal and pasting properties of starch from, pea and fababean are not well known.

RESULTS: Differences due to genotype were observed in the concentrations of starch and protein in pea and fababean, in the onset temperature (To) and peak temperature (Tp) of gelatinization of fababean starch, and in the pasting, trough, cooling and final viscosities of pea starch and fababean starch. Significant two‐way interactions (location × genotype) were observed for the concentration of starch in fababean and the amylose content, To, endothermic enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) and trough viscosity of fababean starch. Significant three‐way interactions (location × year × genotype) were observed for the concentration of starch in pea and the pasting, trough, cooling and final viscosities of pea starch.

CONCLUSION: Differences observed in the concentrations of starch and protein in pea and fababean were sufficient to be of practical significance to end‐users, but the relatively small differences in amylose content and physicochemical properties of starch from pea and fababean were not. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Wheat‐ and barley‐based diets with or without additives influence broiler chicken performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microflora
Authors: Rodríguez María Luisa , Rebolé Almudena , Velasco Susana , Ortiz Luis T , Treviño Jesús , Alzueta Carmen
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there is scant literature on comparative broiler response to cereal diets high in soluble non‐starch polysaccharides without or with enzyme, prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic supplementation. In the present study, the effects of a wheat‐ and barley‐based diet with or without supplemental xylanase plus β‐glucanase, inulin, Enterococcus faecium or inulin plus Enterococcus faecium, on bird performance, digesta viscosity, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microflora were compared to a maize‐based diet.

RESULTS: In comparison to a maize‐based diet, the wheat‐ and barley‐based diet reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain and feed intake, but did not affect to the feed‐to‐gain ratio. Apparent digestibility of crude fat and various fatty acids were decreased (P < 0.05) as well as apparent metabolisable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention content. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in the viscosity of jejunal digesta and in the caecal numbers of Escherichia coli and lactobacilli, and a decrease in the ileal numbers of E. coli and lactobacilli. Performance parameters and nutrient digestibility were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary inclusion of the additives used, with the exception that exogenous enzyme improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of crude fat and decreased the viscosity of jejunal digesta. Enzyme and Enterococcus faecium supplementation increased intestinal lactic acid bacteria, whereas inulin addition reduced the number of E. coli (P < 0.05). Addition of inulin–Enterococcus faecium decreased E. coli and increased bifidobacteria numbers in the caeca.

CONCLUSION: Enzyme supplementation to a wheat‐ and barley‐based diet significantly improved the apparent digestibility of dietary fat. All four additives had a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora of broilers. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Nonionic surfactant enhanced semipermanent coatings for capillary electrophoresis of inorganic anions without use of organic additives
Authors: Yao Lihua , Liu Qian , Li Yi , Yao Shouzhuo
Published: July 2011

Separation of inorganic anions by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is usually conducted in co‐electroosmotic mode due to the large electrophoretic mobilities of inorganic anions. Semipermanent surfactant coatings have been shown to be effective for CE of inorganic anions due to their strong capability of electroosmotic flow (EOF) manipulation. However, semipermanent coatings often suffer from their unsatisfactory stability. In addition, organic solvent additives are usually required to adjust the selectivity, which also aggravate the degradation of coating. In this work, a novel semipermanent coating consisting of cationic Gemini surfactant 18‐10‐18 and nonionic surfactant Tween 20 was developed to separate inorganic anions in CE. This coating is easy to prepare and more stable than pure Gemini coating. The introduction of nonionic surfactant in the coating not only suppresses the reversed EOF but can also adjust the selectivity of separation. Good separations of six model anions were achieved, the separation efficiency was as high as 65040–169700 plates/m and the RSDs of the migration times were less than 0.5 and 2.5% for run‐to‐run and day‐to‐day assays, respectively. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.05−5.0 mM; the detection limits ranged from 20 to 50 μM. More importantly, no organic solvents are required in the background buffer to achieve the satisfactory separations. This guarantees the coating stability and makes the method greener than most of other methods for CE of inorganic anions.
Novel Pirkle‐type quinine 3,5‐dinitrophenylcarbamate chiral stationary phase implementing click chemistry
Authors: Kacprzak Karol M. , Lindner Wolfgang
Published: July 2011

A new Pirkle‐anion exchange hybrid‐type chiral stationary phase (CSP‐1) has been synthesized by immobilizing 10,11‐didehydroquinine 3,5‐dinitrophenylcarbamate onto 3‐azidopropyl silica gel using click chemistry (1,3‐dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition). This chiral selector and CSP contain a strong π‐accepting 3,5‐dinitrophenyl residue besides the π‐basic quinoline group and an ionizable tertiary amino group. In concert with ion pairing it offers π‐donor–π‐acceptor interactions resulting in an enhancement of the selectivity toward specific π‐donating analytes such as aryloxypropionic acids and profens. A representative set of these analytes has been investigated under various chromatographic conditions (polar‐organic, reversed‐ and normal‐phase) leading to base‐line enantioseparations with selectivity (α) values up to 1.8. Control experiments with related quinine tert‐butylcarbamate phase grafted onto the surface either by thioether (Chiralpak QN‐AX) or 1,2,3‐triazole linker revealed the impact of the additional aromatic moiety in the chiral selector motif.
Fear of emotion as a moderator between PTSD and firefighter social interactions
Authors: Farnsworth Jacob K. , Sewell Kenneth W.
Published: July 2011

Despite high levels of exposure to stress, questions remain regarding how social interactions and beliefs about emotion interact to influence posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in firefighters. United States urban firefighters (N = 225) completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, the Unsupportive Social Interactions Inventory, the Affective Control Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Each independent variable predicted PTSD beyond variance accounted for by demographic variables. Additionally, fear of emotion emerged as the strongest individual predictor of PTSD and a moderator of the relation between social interactions and PTSD symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of beliefs about emotion both in how these beliefs might influence the expression of PTSD symptoms, and in how the social networks of trauma survivors might buffer distress.
The child behavior checklist PTSD scale: Screening for PTSD in young children with high exposure to trauma
Authors: Loeb Joanne , Stettler Erin M. , Gavila Traci , Stein Adam , Chinitz Susan
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study was to examine the validity of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) subscale to screen for PTSD in children attending an inner‐city early childhood mental health center. Using various measures, we assessed 51 preschool‐age children with high exposure to trauma receiving outpatient child–parent psychotherapy for PTSD. We compared 15 items on the CBCL, a proposed subscale indicative of PTSD, to the UCLA‐PTSD Index and to clinical diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM‐IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (rev. ed.; DC:0‐3; Zero to Three, 2005). Using the DC:0‐3 criteria, 24% of the children were diagnosed with PTSD, but only 4% using the DSM‐IV. The CBCL‐PTSD subscale did not reach significant sensitivity or specificity to be a valuable screening tool for PTSD in this population.
Pilot study on traumatic grief treatment program for Japanese women bereaved by violent death
Authors: Asukai Nozomu , Tsuruta Nobuko , Saito Azusa
Published: July 2011

This pilot study aimed to refine a treatment approach for traumatic grief due to violent loss. Our Traumatic Grief Treatment Program, a modification of Shear's complicated grief treatment (Shear et al., 2005), comprises psychoeducation, in vivo exposure, imaginal exposure, discussion of memories about and imaginal conversation with the deceased. Thirteen of 15 Japanese women suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to traumatic grief completed 12 to 16 weekly individual sessions based on their therapists' recommendations. Assessment scales included the Inventory of Complicated Grief, the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. There was significant reduction in symptom severity at treatment end, and symptom levels remained low throughout the 12‐month follow‐up period. Based on Jacobson's Reliable Change Index, 46% showed change on all 3 measures. These findings suggest that our treatment model may be feasible for treating traumatic grief with PTSD in non‐Western settings.
Response of a tunnel deeply embedded in a viscoelastic medium
Authors: Birchall Thomas J. , Osman Ashraf S.
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a three‐dimensional energy‐based solution for the time‐dependent response of a deeply embedded and unsupported semi‐infinite tunnel of circular cross‐section. The tunnel is taken to be excavated quasi‐instantaneously from an infinite rock body that initially exhibits an isotropic stress state and that is made up of a homogeneous, isotropic and viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic behaviour is modelled by means of Burger's model, and the rock is taken to behave volumetrically linear elastic and to exhibit exclusively deviatoric creep. This viscoelastic problem is transformed into the Laplace domain, where it represents a quasi‐elastic problem. The displacement fields in the new solution are taken to be the products of independent functions that vary in the radial and longitudinal directions. The differential equations governing the displacements of the system and appropriate boundary conditions are obtained using the principle of minimum potential energy. The solutions for these governing equations in the Laplace domain are then obtained analytically and numerically using a one‐dimensional finite difference technique. The results are then transformed back into the time domain using an efficient numerical scheme. The accuracy of the new solution is comparable with that of a finite element analysis but requires much less computation effort. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchrotron‐based microprobe investigation of impurities in raw quartz‐bearing and carbon‐bearing feedstock materials for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Bernardis Sarah , Newman Bonna K. , Di Sabatino Marisa , Fakra Sirine C. , Bertoni Mariana I. , Fenning David P. , Larsen Rune B. , Buonassisi Tonio
Published: July 2011

Using synchrotron‐based analytical microprobe techniques, we determine micrometer‐scale elemental composition, spatial distribution, and oxidation state of impurities in raw feedstock materials used in the photovoltaic industry. Investigated Si‐bearing compounds are pegmatitic quartz, hydrothermal quartz, and quartzite. Micrometer‐scale clusters containing Fe, Ti, and/or Ca are frequently observed at structural defects in oxidized states and in bulk concentrations equivalent to inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy measurements. Investigated C‐bearing compounds are pine wood, pine charcoal, and eucalyptus charcoal. Clustered metals are observed only in the charcoal samples. Impurity clustering implies that industrial processing could be adapted to take advantage of this “natural gettering” phenomenon, expanding the usable range of raw feedstock materials to dirtier, cheaper, and more abundant ones, currently underexploited for solar‐grade silicon production. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microsecond carrier lifetime measurements in silicon via quasi‐steady‐state photoluminescence
Authors: Giesecke Johannes A. , Warta Wilhelm
Published: July 2011

Modulated quasi‐steady‐state photoluminescence is used in photovoltaics in order to measure the injection‐dependent effective minority carrier lifetime of silicon wafers. In spite of the very advantageous properties of this measurement technique, its wide dissemination in photovoltaics has been hampered so far because of a relatively poor sensitivity limit in terms of carrier lifetime. A systematic analysis of the sensitivity‐limiting mechanisms led to a substantial upgrade of sensitivity, tackling the range of effective lifetimes of 1 µs. This paper discusses the requirements to reach this level of sensitivity. Most prominently, the dependence of a silicon photodiode's response time with respect to the wavelength of the detected light is addressed. As an alternative, InGaAs photodiodes are implemented. The sensitivity of this method with respect to carrier lifetime is evaluated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐watt fiber‐based power‐by‐light system for satellite applications
Authors: Peña Rafael , Algora Carlos
Published: July 2011

In this work, a fiber‐based optical powering (or power‐by‐light) system capable of providing more than 1 W is developed. The prototype was used in order to power a shunt regulator for controlling the activation and deactivation of solar panels in satellites. The work involves the manufacture of a light receiver (a GaAs multiple photovoltaic converter (MPC)), a power conditioning block, and a regulator and the implementation and characterization of the whole system. The MPC, with an active area of just 3.1 mm2, was able to supply 1 W at 5 V with an efficiency of 30%. The maximum measured device efficiency was over 40% at an input power (Pin) of 0.5 W. Open circuit voltage over 7 V was measured for Pin over 0.5 W. A system optoelectronic efficiency (including the optical fiber, connectors, and MPC) of 27% was measured at an output power (Pout) of 1 W. At Pout = 0.2 W, the efficiency was as high as 36%. The power conditioning block and the regulator were successfully powered with the system. The maximum supplied power in steady state was 0.2 W, whereas in transient state, it reached 0.44 W. The paper also describes the characterization of the system within the temperature range going from −70 to +100 °C. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.