bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Some Micronutrients on Damage Compensation and Yield Parameters in Okra.
Authors: Syed Shahzad Ali  , Wazhar Ali Pusio  , Huma Rizwana  , S. Shahbaz Ali  , Shifarash Ghouri  , S. Sohail Ahmad
Published: October 2012

The effect of micronutrients on damage compensation and yield components of okra was investigated, using three foliar sprays (at 15 days interval) of Effective microorganisms (EM-1), Wokozim and Kissan Supreme Tonic (KST). Weekly observations on sucking complex (thrips, jassid, whitefly) and pod borers were carried out. The yield ha-1 of green pods was recorded to ascertain the compensation of the damage done by the insect pests. The damage done by sucking complex and borers was markedly compensated by the micronutrients, and okra pod yield in EM-1, Wokozim and KST sprayed plots were 10911, 9507 and 8948 kg ha-1, respectively as compared to 8034 kg ha-1 in control. The effect of micronutrients on crop growth and subsequently on sucking complex infestation was significant and thrips, jassid, whitefly and borer infestation was relatively lesser in plots sprayed with micronutrient as compared to the control. KST was most effective in damage compensation of sucking complex and borers with highest okra green pod yield (P
Use of Distally Based Sural Artery Flap to Manage the Soft Tissue Defects of Lower Tibia and Ankle
Authors: Saeed Samo  , Zulfiqar Soomro  , Zamir Soomro
Published: October 2012

Objective: To present experience of soft tissue cover of lower one third of tibia and ankle treated by an orthopaedic surgeon without the presence of a plastic surgeon but of course, depending on the reliability of this flap. Patients and Methods: Nineteen patients, fifteen males and four females, with soft tissue defect of lower one third tibia and ankle requiring soft tissue cover were treated from April 2002 to September 2005. The flap was outlined at the posterior aspect of junction of upper and middle 1/3 leg. The pivot point of the pedicle was at least 5cm i.e., 3 fingers’ breadth above the lateral mallelous to allow anastomosis with the peroneal artery. Skin incision was started along the line in which the fascial pedicle would be taken. The sub dermal layer was dissected to expose the sural nerve, accompanying superficial sural vessels and short saphenous vein. The subcutaneous fascial pedicle was elevated, with a width of 2cm to include the nerve and these vessels. At the proximal margin of the flap, the nerve and the vessels were ligated and severed. The skin island was elevated with the deep fascia. The donor site defect was closed directly when the flap was less than 3cm wide. A larger donor site defect along with the pedicle was covered with a split thickness skin graft. Results: All flaps except two survived. Most flaps showed slight venous congestion which cleared in a few days. There was no loss of split skin graft & none was lost to follow up.Conclusion: Distally based Sural artery flap remains the choice for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of lower 1/3 tibia and ankle. The dissection is easy, quicker and can be done by an orthopaedic surgeon already involved in flap surgery; without the presence of plastic surgeon.
Surgical Management of Congenital TEV in Children at PMC Hospital Nawabshah
Authors: Saeed Samo  , Zulfiqar Soomro  , Zamir Soomro  , Mehtab Pirwani
Published: October 2012

Introduction: Talipes equino varus TEV is one of the most common congenital anomaly. It is managed by some common ways i-e., conservative & surgical methods. Among surgical methods are Turco’s posterior medial release, posterior soft tissue release operation (Attenborough), four quadrant release (Mc Kay). Objective of this study was to determine the reliability of surgical option like postero medial release in children having congenital TEV. Material & Methods: This study was carried out during the period from October 2002 to March 2005 in the Deptt. of Orthopaedics of PMCH Nawab Shah. The inclusion criteria were children 2 months to 30 months of age having moderate to severe club foot. Clubfoot secondary to some other disorder such as cerebral palsy, arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, myeldysplasia or DDH were not included in this study. The deformity was treated surgically in all cases by postero medial release. Follow-up period was one & half year. Results: A total 57 patients were included in this study with the age range of 2 months-2.5 yrs with moderate to severe deformity. Forty two were male (73.7%) and 15 patients (26.3%) were female, seventeen patients (29.8%) had bilateral club foot while the rest the rest of 40 patients (67.1%) had unilateral deformity. Positive family history of club foot was in 10 patients (17.5%). Results were concluded on 57 patients who completed one & half year follow-up. Excellent results were observed in 41 patients (71.9%), good in 11 patients (19.2%), fair in 2 children (3.5%). No patients lost to follow up.Conclusion: Children up to 30 months (2 months - 2.5 years) age with congenital TEV can be treated with surgery successfully.
Effect of Different Photo Periods on the Biological Parameters of Chrysoperla carnea under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Qadeer Ahmed  , Raza Muhammad  , Nazir Ahmad  , Javed Ahmed  , Shahnaz Naz  , Hayder Ali  , Nazia Suleman
Published: October 2012

Many insects are known to give response in adaptive way for seasonal changes in day lengths. Photoperiod control’s many developmental responses and allows insects to survive periods of unfavorable environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different photoperiod lengths on biological parameters of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea. Four different photoperiod regimes were selected with varying lengths of light/dark hours (8/16, 10/14, 24/0 and 0/24) at a constant 26±2°C temperature with 70 % RH (relative humidity) in the laboratory. Photoperiod regimes affected the development of C. carnea from egg to adult. In complete darkness (L: 0 D: 24), minimum egg laying, hatching, larval survival and adult emergence were recorded. Incubation period for eggs, larval period and pupal duration were also significantly longer in complete darkness as compared to other treatments 8L: 16D and 10L: 14D. Whereas, the treatment with complete light hours (L: 24, D: 0) resulted in maximum egg laying hatching, larval survival and adult emergence. The incubation period for eggs, larval and pupal duration significantly shortened as compared to other treatments.Sex ratios skewed towards female when full light hours were provided for development.
Assessment of Service Learning in Ecology Class Using the Orid Model
Authors: Lunar Bernardo C. , Ronsairo Marlyn S.
Published: October 2012

This study was aimed at assessing the students’ perception of their learning experiences as they were exposed to service- learning design in Ecology to conform with the transformative learning framework being employed by the institution. Ecology class is intended for BS Biology and Education students of De La Salle Lipa. It is designed to cover topics such as nature of Ecology; various abiotic and abiotic factors needed for survival; population, communities, ecosystem dynamics and different kinds of ecosystem. The course delivery was lecture blended with Service Learning. This teaching method falls under experiential education, a method in which students were made to learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community. In this study, students were made to reflect on the concrete experiences they had as they participated in the various activities of the Project Carbon Neutral and the One million Trees and Beyond Project of the school. Using the ORID Method of Focused Conversation, their experiences were moved to analytical and subjective reasoning.   Keywords - Service Learning, Ecology Class, ORID Model, Experiential education
A Higher Education Quality Assurance Model for Small States: The Maldives Case Study
Authors: Waheed Abdul Hannan , Pillay Hitendra
Published: October 2012

This paper presents findings of a case study in the Maldives of a holistic quality assurance model for higher education in Small States. Although case study is situated in the Maldives, an example of a Small State, the findings provided useful reference for policy makers, practitioners and professionals in other Small States. The study draws on a systems theory to investigate the systemic characteristics of quality assurance in higher education. It is a qualitative case study based and includes the use of document analysis and interviews data. The preliminary findings indicate that regulatory mechanisms, independence, one-tier system, guidelines and standards, transparency, academic audit, accreditation and collaboration emerged as critical areas for the system of quality assurance in higher education for Small States. Some of the mechanisms used by bigger nations to address the above critical areas may not be appropriate for Small States, adding weight to the ‘fit for purpose’ definition of quality.   Keywords - Higher education accreditation, Higher education quality indicators, Standards of higher education, higher education quality regulations, Programme accreditation, institutional accreditation, institutional audit.
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) with a Focus on F‐actin
Authors: Hardy Lori R.
Published: October 2012

In this unit on fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), an imaging approach to study protein‐protein interactions in situ is described. The protocols presented use confocal microscopy to examine the mobility of a fluorescent protein by measuring the recovery of the protein in a bleached area. The data gained in FRAP studies is qualitative and yields insight into relative binding affinity, binding characteristics, and the effect of treatments or mutations on protein mobility. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 61:2.17.1‐2.17.12. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Evolution of Phase Strains During Tensile Loading of Bovine Cortical Bone
Authors: Singhal Anjali , Yuan Fang , Stock Stuart R. , Almer Jonathan D. , Brinson L. Catherine , Dunand David C.
Published: October 2012

Synchrotron X‐ray scattering is used to measure average strains in the two main nanoscale phases of cortical bone – hydroxyapatite (HAP) platelets and collagen fibrils – under tensile loading at body temperature (37 °C) and under completely hydrated conditions. Dog‐bone shaped specimens from bovine femoral cortical bone were prepared from three anatomical quadrants: anterio‐medial, anterio‐lateral, and posterio‐lateral. The apparent HAP and fibrillar elastic moduli – ratios of tensile stress as applied externally and phase strains as measured by diffraction – exhibit significant correlations with the (i) femur quadrant from which the samples are obtained, (ii) properties obtained at the micro‐scale using micro‐computed tomography, i.e., microstructure, porosity and attenuation coefficient, and (iii) properties at the macro‐scale using thermo‐gravimetry and tensile testing, i.e., volume fraction and Young's modulus. Comparison of these tensile apparent moduli with compressive apparent moduli (previously published for samples from the same animal and tested under the same temperature and irradiation conditions) indicates that collagen deforms plastically to a greater extent in tension. Greater strains in the collagen fibril and concomitant greater load transfer to the HAP result in apparent moduli that are significantly lower in tension than in compression for both phases. However, tensile and compressive Young's moduli measured macroscopically are not significantly different during uniaxial testing.
Cholesteric Liquid Crystals with a Broad Light Reflection Band
Authors: Mitov Michel
Published: October 2012

The cholesteric‐liquid‐crystalline structure, which concerns the organization of chromatin, collagen, chitin, or cellulose, is omnipresent in living matter. In technology, it is found in temperature and pressure sensors, supertwisted nematic liquid crystal displays, optical filters, reflective devices, or cosmetics. A cholesteric liquid crystal reflects light because of its helical structure. The reflection is selective – the bandwidth is limited to a few tens of nanometers and the reflectance is equal to at most 50% for unpolarized incident light, which is a consequence of the polarization‐selectivity rule. These limits must be exceeded for innovative applications like polarizer‐free reflective displays, broadband polarizers, optical data storage media, polarization‐independent devices, stealth technologies, or smart switchable reflective windows to control solar light and heat. Novel cholesteric‐liquid‐crystalline architectures with the related fabrication procedures must therefore be developed. This article reviews solutions found in living matter and laboratories to broaden the bandwidth around a central reflection wavelength, do without the polarization‐selectivity rule and go beyond the reflectance limit.
Thiolase engineering for enhanced butanol production in Clostridium acetobutylicum
Authors: Mann Miriam S. , Lütke‐Eversloh Tina
Published: October 2012

Biosynthetic thiolases catalyze the condensation of two molecules acetyl‐CoA to acetoacetyl‐CoA and represent key enzymes for carbon–carbon bond forming metabolic pathways. An important biotechnological example of such a pathway is the clostridial n‐butanol production, comprising various natural constraints that limit titer, yield, and productivity. In this study, the thiolase of Clostridium acetobutylicum, the model organism for solventogenic clostridia, was specifically engineered for reduced sensitivity towards its physiological inhibitor coenzyme A (CoA‐SH). A high‐throughput screening assay in 96‐well microtiter plates was developed employing Escherichia coli as host cells for expression of a mutant thiolase gene library. Screening of this library resulted in the identification of a thiolase derivative with significantly increased activity in the presence of free CoA‐SH. This optimized thiolase comprised three amino acid substitutions (R133G, H156N, G222V) and its gene was expressed in C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824 to assess the effect of reduced CoA‐SH sensitivity on solvent production. In addition to a clearly delayed ethanol and acetone formation, the ethanol and butanol titers were increased by 46% and 18%, respectively, while the final acetone concentrations were similar to the vector control strain. These results demonstrate that thiolase engineering constitutes a suitable methodology applicable to improve clostridial butanol production, but other biosynthetic pathways involving thiolase‐mediated carbon flux limitations might also be subjected to this new metabolic engineering approach. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 887–897. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tunable nano‐oleosomes derived from engineered Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Han Zhenlin , Madzak Catherine , Su Wei Wen
Published: October 2012

Oleosomes are discrete organelles filled with neutral lipids surrounded by a protein‐embedded phospholipid monolayer. Their simple yet robust structure, as well as their amenability to biological, chemical, and physical processing, can be exploited for various biotechnology applications. In this study, we report facile biosynthesis of functionalized oleosomes within oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, through expression of oleosin fusion proteins. By fusing a cDNA clone of a sesame oleosin with either the coding sequence of a red fluorescent protein mCherry or a cellulosomal scaffolding protein cohesin from Clostridium cellulolyticum, these oleosin‐fusion proteins were efficiently expressed and specifically targeted to and anchored on the surface of the oleosomes within the Y. lipolytica cells. The engineered oleosomes can be easily separated from the Y. lipolytica cell extract via floating centrifugation and both mCherry and cohesin domains are shown to be functional. Upon sonication, the engineered Yarrowia oleosomes exhibit a mean diameter of 200–300 nm and are found to be highly stable. The feasibility of co‐displaying multiple proteins on the Yarrowia oleosomes was demonstrated by incubating cohesin‐displaying oleosomes with different dockerin‐fusion proteins. Based on this strategy, engineered oleosomes with both cell‐targeting and reporting activities were created and shown to be functional. Taken together, the Yarrowia oleosome surface display system in which oleosin serves as an efficient membrane anchor motif shows great promise as a simple platform for creating tunable nanoparticles. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 702–710. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Helical spring template fabrication of cell‐laden microfluidic hydrogels for tissue engineering
Authors: Huang Guoyou , Wang Senhao , He Xiang , Zhang Xiaohui , Lu Tian Jian , Xu Feng
Published: October 2012

Cell‐laden microfluidic hydrogels find great potential applications in microfluidics, tissue engineering, and drug delivery, due to their ability to control mass transport and cell microenvironment. A variety of methods have been developed to fabricate hydrogels with microfluidic channels, such as molding, bioprinting, and photopatterning. However, the relatively simple structure available and the specific equipment required limit their broad applications in tissue engineering. Here, we developed a simple method to fabricate microfluidic hydrogels with helical microchannels based on a helical spring template. Results from both experimental investigation and numerical modeling revealed a significant enhancement on the perfusion ability and cell viability of helical microfluidic hydrogels compared to those with straight microchannels. The feasibility of such a helical spring template method was also demonstrated for microfluidic hydrogels with complex three‐dimensional channel networks such as branched helical microchannels. The method presented here could potentially facilitate the development of vascular tissue engineering and cell microenvironment engineering. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 980–989. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX) for side‐stream treatment of anaerobic digester filtrate process performance and microbiology
Authors: Kotay Shireen M. , Mansell Bryan L. , Hogsett Mitch , Pei Huang , Goel Ramesh
Published: October 2012

A laboratory scale semi‐batch fed anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX) reactor was operated in the lab under two different feeding operations. In the first scenario, termed as phase I, the reactor was seeded and operated with NO2‐N added externally with the filtrate to the reactor in the ratio needed for the successful ANAMMOX. A second reactor was also initiated shortly after the start‐up of the ANAMMOX to accomplish partial nitrification (nitritation reactor) to generate NO2‐N. In phase II, the operation of the ANAMMOX reactor was switched to the mode in which case the partially nitrified effluent from the nitritation reactor was fed to the ANAMMOX reactor. In both phases, real filtrate from a local wastewater treatment plant was used as the feed. The ANAMMOX reactor sustained a loading rate (average 0.33 ± 0.03 with a max of 0.4 g N (L day)−1) which is comparable with many other fed‐batch reactors in the literature. Consistent total N removal (average of 82 ± 4%) could be sustained in the ANAMMOX reactor during both phases. The nitritation reactor also consistently enabled a NO2‐N to NH3‐N ratio of 1.2:1 which was needed for the successful operation of the ANAMMOX reactor in phase II. Sequence analysis and FISH showed that Kuenenia stuttgartiensis dominated the enriched ANAMMOX community along with several unidentified, but seemingly enriched, potential ANAMMOX strains. Microbial ecology analysis for nitritation reactor showed the dominance of Nitrosomonas europaea. In summary, this manuscript provides important information on the start‐up and operation of anammox reactor with detailed investigation on microbial ecology in this reactor. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1180–1192. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alternation in colonization behaviors of Escherichia coli cells with rpoS or yggE deficiency on solid surfaces
Authors: Nguyen Minh Hong , Ojima Yoshihiro , Kawata Teruyoshi , Taya Masahito
Published: October 2012

Colonization on a solid surface is influenced by the cell surface appendages such as flagella and curli, of which expressions are regulated by rpoS gene encoding a sigma factor. In this study, we investigated the effect of rpoS or yggE (a rpoS‐related and stress‐responsive gene) deficiency on the colonization of Escherichia coli BW25113. Under a static condition, the deletion of rpoS or yggE induced 3.9‐ and 3.7‐fold higher colonization as compared to wild‐type cells, respectively, on the solid surfaces. However, under a liquid flow condition, only ΔyggE cells maintained the stable colonization on the surface, and the values of cell layer thickness and cell coverage on the surface were 17 and 9.2 times as high as those of wild‐type cells, respectively. Gene expression analyses revealed that the deletion of rpoS or yggE positively impacted the expressions of genes involved in flagellum formation. On the other hand, curli assembly was severely prohibited by the rpoS deficiency. Here, we proposed that the plentiful flagella on the ΔrpoS and ΔyggE cell surfaces facilitated mainly the colonization under the static condition. Meanwhile, curli existing on the ΔyggE cell surface played an important role in keeping stable cell attachment and developing attached colonies under the flow stress condition. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1050–1056. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioreducible poly(amido amine)s with different branching degrees as gene delivery vectors
Authors: Zhang Bo , Ma Xinpeng , Murdoch William , Radosz Maciej , Shen Youqing
Published: October 2012

Based on the knowledge that cationic polymers with different topographical structures behave differently in gene transfection process, herein, we synthesized three biodegradable poly(amido amine)s (PAAs) with the same repeating units and molecular weights except for degree of branching: linear PAA (LPAA), low‐branched PAA (LBPAA), and high‐branched PAA (HBPAA). We found that LBPAA could more effectively compact pDNA into positively charged nanoparticles than both HBPAA and LPAA. LBPAA polyplexes had the highest transfection efficiency among the three PAA polyplexes, and the difference in transfection efficiency is mainly attributed to the endocytosis rate. The cytotoxicity of PAAs was negligible at the transfection doses, probably due to the degradable disulfide bonds. Therefore, we could use branching as a parameter to simply tune a polymer's cellular uptake behavior and transfection efficiency. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 990–998. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient DNA Condensation Induced by Ruthenium(II) Complexes of a Bipyridine‐Functionalized Molecular Clip Ligand
Authors: Bhat Satish S. , Kumbhar Avinash S. , Kumbhar Anupa A. , Khan Ayesha
Published: October 2012

Complexes of the type [Ru(bxbg)2(N‐N)]2+, where N‐N denotes 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) (1), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) (2), dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3‐f] quinoxaline (dpq) (3), and dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (dppz) (4), incorporating bis(o‐xylene)bipyridine‐glycoluril (bxbg) as an ancillary “molecular clip” ligand, have been synthesized and characterized. These ruthenium(II) complexes of bis(o‐xylene)bipyridine‐glycoluril self‐associate in water through specific molecular recognition processes to form polycationic arrays. These arrays containing electrostatic binders as well as intercalator ligands at micromolar doses rapidly condense free DNA into globular nanoparticles of various sizes. The DNA condensation induced by these complexes has been investigated by electrophoretic mobility assay, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular uptake of complex–DNA condensates and the low cytotoxicity of these complexes satisfy the requirements of a gene vector.
Interaction between Anions and Molybdenum Allyl Dicarbonyl Complexes of 1,4,7‐Trithiacyclononane
Authors: Morales Dolores , Puerto Marcos , del Río Ignacio , Pérez Julio , López Ramón
Published: October 2012

The labile complex [MoCl(η3‐methallyl)(CO)2(NCMe)2] reacts with the ligand 1,4,7‐trithiacyclononane ([9]aneS3) and the salt NaBAr′4 to afford [Mo(η3‐methallyl)(CO)2([9]aneS3)][BAr′4] (1⋅BAr′4). An analogous reaction of [MoBr(η3‐allyl)(CO)2(NCMe)2] yields [Mo(η3‐allyl)(CO)2([9]aneS3)][BAr′4] (2⋅BAr′4). The new compounds 1⋅BAr′4 and 2⋅BAr′4 were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopic analysis and X‐ray diffraction studies. Both compounds feature the cyclic thioether [9]aneS3 coordinated as a tridentate ligand to the molybdenum center. The allyl ligand in 2⋅BAr′4 is aligned with the middle of the OC‐Mo‐CO angle, which is acute. Both of these features are typical of most pseudo‐octahedral allyl dicarbonyl molybdenum complexes. In contrast, the allyl group is rotated in 1⋅BAr′4, which is attributed to steric hindrance between the methyl substituent and the ligated thioether, and the OC‐Mo‐CO angle is obtuse. Compound 1⋅BAr′4 undergoes rapid substitution of [9]aneS3 by either chloride and fluoride ions in dichloromethane, and the products include the known species [{Mo(η3‐methallyl)(CO)2}2(μ‐Cl)3]− and a structurally similar new anionic complex with two fluoro and one hydroxo bridging ligands, respectively. Stable supramolecular adducts were formed in the reactions of 1⋅BAr′4 and 2⋅BAr4 with bromide, iodide, hydrogensulfate, and methanesulfonate compounds. The binding constants of these adducts in dichloromethane were calculated from 1H NMR spectroscopic titration data, and the solid‐state structures of the 1⋅Br, 1⋅HSO4, 1⋅I, and 2⋅I adducts were determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. The surprising slightly higher stability of the iodide adduct relative to that of bromide was investigated theoretically, with the results pointing to an effect of the differential solvation of the halide ions.
Phosphoric Acid Adsorption Hysteresis in a Polybenzimidazole High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Kamat Ashish , Klein Olaf , Herrmann Mirko , Krewer Ulrike , Scholl Stephan
Published: October 2012

Bei thermischen Zyklisierungsuntersuchungen an Polybenzimidazol‐basierten Hochtemperatur‐Polymerelektrolytmembran‐Brennstoffzellen wurde ein stationäres Hystereseverhalten des Zellstroms beobachtet. Über die Tafelgleichungen wird eine Korrelation zur Oberflächenkonzentration von Sauerstoff auf der Platinoberfläche aufgezeigt. Da kein solches Hystereseverhalten der Sauerstoffadsorption auf Platin bekannt ist, wird eine neue Theorie vorgeschlagen, die auf der thermischen Abhängigkeit der Oberflächenbedeckung von Phosphorsäure auf Platin fußt. Die daraus resultierende Adsorptionshysterese wurde mittels einer Monte‐Carlo‐Simulation als Ursache für die beobachtete Zellstrom‐Hysterese bestätigt und durch einen qualitativen Vergleich mit Messdaten aus gealterten Testzellen validiert.
Rapid Determination of Free Amino Acids in Milk by Microchip Electrophoresis Coupled with Laser‐induced Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Wu Min , Cheng Shuang , Li Gang , Wang Zhifang , Wang Qingjiang , He Pingang , Fang Yuzhi
Published: October 2012

A simple and sensitive method for determination of free amino acids in milk by microchip electrophoresis (MCE) coupled with laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed. Seven kinds of standard amino acids were derivated with sulfoindocyanine succinimidyl ester (Cy5) and then perfectly measured by MCE‐LIF within 150 s. The parameters of MCE separation were carefully investigated to obtain the optimal conditions: 100 mmol·L−1 sodium borate solution (pH 10.0) as running buffer solution, 0.8 kV as injection voltage, 2.2 kV as separation voltage etc. The linear range of the detection of amino acids was from 0.01 µmol·L−1 to 1.0 µmol·L−1 and the detection limit was as low as about 1.0 nmol·L−1. This MCE‐LIF method was applied to the measurements of free amino acids in actual milk samples and satisfactory experimental results were achieved.
Effect of End‐capping Functional Groups on the Optoelectronic Properties of Oligothiophene Derivatives
Authors: Zuo Zhenyu , Sun HongjianPP , Li Xiaoyan
Published: October 2012

Five novel oligothiophene derivatives end‐capped by different functional groups (R=ethoxyl (EtOP3T), methylsulfanyl (MSP3T), acetyl (AcP3T), methylsulfonyl (MSO2P3T) and biphenyl (BP3T) groups) were synthesized. They were characterized by Hnuclear magnetic resonanceH (P1PH NMR), Hmass spectrometryH (MS) and Fourier transform Infra‐red spectra (IR). The relationship between end‐capping functional groups and optoelectronic properties of them was investigated. It was found that the compound with sulfonyl group in the molecular structure (MSOR2RP3T) shows the highest oxidation stability (also supported by theoretical calculations) and best thermal stability among the five compounds. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) interpret that MSOR2RP3T displays excellent ability of self‐film forming. This reveals that it could be a potential candidate for thin film material. The liquid crystal property of MSOR2RP3T was characterized by polarized optical microscopy analysis (POM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results of this paper provide useful information for the design of tailored oligothiophene derivatives for devices.
Comparison of Hair Fatty Alcohols by N‐Alkylpyridinium Isotope Quaternization and Matrix‐assisted Laser Desorption/ionization Mass Spectrometry for Drug Abuse Monitoring
Authors: Wang Hang , Wang Haoyang , Zhang Li , Zhang Jing , Zhuo Xianyi , Huang Yi , Guo Yinlong
Published: October 2012

Based on our previous report on N‐alkylpyridinium isotope quaternization (NAPIQ) for the analysis of alcoholic and α,β‐unsaturated ketone compounds, we have further applied NAPIQ method in the screening of hair lipids in drug abusers. Relative isotopic quantification was used for comparison of fatty alcohols between normal and drug abuse group. The NAPIQ strategy was proven to be a high‐throughput method in the metabolic comparison studies of different group samples. The attached N‐cationic pyridinium significantly improved the detection sensitivity for these fatty alcohols in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric (MALDI‐FTMS) analysis. The experimental results showed that the levels of fatty alcohols in the hair of heroin abuse group decreased significantly compared with the normal groups, which may be the results of the inducing of peroxidation enzyme. NAPIQ was proven to be an effective and alternative method in the research of fatty alcoholic metabolism for drug abuse monitoring.
Thiol‐yne Click Adamantane Monolithic Stationary Phase for Capillary Electrochromatography
Authors: Dao Thi Thu Hien , Guerrouache Mohamed , Carbonnier Benjamin
Published: October 2012

A porous crosslinked organic polymer based on N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) was prepared inside 75 µm i.d. fused silica capillary as functionalizable monolithic stationary phase for electrochromatographic applications. Succinimide groups on the monolith surface provide reactive sites able to react readily through standard electrophile‐nucleophile chemistry. Propargylamine was used to prepare alkyne functionalized poly(NAS‐co‐EDMA). Onto this thiol‐reactive polymer surface was grafted adamantane units via a photochemically‐driven addition reaction. Chemical characterization was performed in situ after each synthetic step by means of Raman spectroscopy and grafting kinetics was investigated to ensure quantitative grafting of 1‐adamantanethiol. The as‐designed monolithic stationary phase exhibited typical reversed‐phase separation mechanism as evidenced by the linear increase of the logarithm of retention factor of neutral aromatic solutes with the increase of the aqueous buffer content in the mobile phase.
Iron(III)‐Catalyzed Direct N‐Alkylation of Azoles via Oxidative Transformation of sp3 CH Bonds under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Liu Xiang , Chen Yongxin , Li Kangning , Wang Dong , Chen Baohua
Published: October 2012

A new approach to synthesize N‐alkylation of azoles by iron(III)‐catalyst under solvent‐free conditions was developed. The method is broad in scope and highly efficient.
Long‐term follow‐up of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without in vitro T cell depletion for the treatment of leukemia
Authors: Wang Yu , Liu Dai‐Hong , Liu Kai‐Yan , Xu Lan‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Han Wei , Chen Huan , Chen Yu‐Hong , Wang Feng‐Rong , Wang Jing‐Zhi , Sun Yu‐Qian , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND:

Many patients who require allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) lack a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched donor. Recently, a new strategy was developed for HLA‐mismatched/haploidentical transplantation from family donors without in vitro T cell depletion (TCD).

METHODS:

Over the past 9 years, 756 patients underwent haploidentical transplantation using a protocol developed by the authors, which combines granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor–primed bone marrow (G‐BM) and peripheral blood stem cells without in vitro TCD. The long‐term outcome with this treatment modality was reported, and a risk‐factor analysis was provided.

RESULTS:

Of these patients, 752 (99%) achieved sustained, full donor chimerism. The incidence of grades 2 through 4 acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) was 43%, and the 2‐year cumulative incidence of total chronic GVHD was 53%. The 3‐year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality was 18%. The 2‐year cumulative incidences of relapse were 15% and 26% in the standard‐risk and high‐risk groups, respectively. Of the 756 patients, 480 survived throughout the follow‐up period of 1154 days (range: 335‐3511 days) with the 3‐year leukemia‐free survival rates of 68% and 49% in the standard‐risk and high‐risk groups, respectively. Lower leukemia‐free survival was associated with high‐risk disease status (P = .001), chronic myelogenous leukemia disease type (P = .004), neutrophil engraftment beyond 13 days after transplant (P = .012), and the occurrence of grades 2 through 4 acute GVHD (P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results from the authors' 9‐year experience showed that G‐BM combined with peripheral blood stem cells from haploidentical donors, without in vitro TCD, is a reliable source of stem cells for transplantation by using the protocol developed by the authors. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Gene polymorphisms predict toxicity to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer
Authors: Duldulao Marjun P. , Lee Wendy , Nelson Rebecca A. , Ho Joyce , Le Maithao , Chen Zhenbin , Li Wenyan , Kim Joseph , Garcia‐Aguilar Julio
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND

Toxicity from neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NT) increases morbidity and limits therapeutic efficacy in patients with rectal cancer. The objective of this study was to determine whether specific polymorphisms in genes associated with rectal cancer response to NT were correlated with NT‐related toxicity.

METHODS

One hundred thirty‐two patients with locally advanced rectal cancer received NT followed by surgery. All patients received 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and radiation (RT), and 80 patients also received modified infusional 5‐FU, folinic acid, and oxaliplatin chemotherapy (mFOLFOX‐6). Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) that occurred during 5‐FU/RT and during combined 5‐FU/RT + mFOLFOX‐6 were recorded. Pretreatment biopsy specimens and normal rectal tissues were collected from all patients. DNA was extracted and screened for 22 polymorphisms in 17 genes that have been associated with response to NT. Polymorphisms were correlated with treatment‐related grade ≥3 AEs.

RESULTS

Overall, 27 of 132 patients (20%) had grade ≥3 AEs; 18 patients had a complication associated only with 5‐FU/RT, 3 patients experienced toxicity only during mFOLFOX‐6, and 6 patients had grade ≥3 AEs associated with both treatments before surgery. Polymorphisms in the genes x‐ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 1 (XRCC1), xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD), and tumor protein 53 (TP53) were associated with grade ≥3 AEs during NT (P < .05). Specifically, 2 polymorphisms—an arginine‐to‐glutamine substitution at codon 399 (Q399R) in XRCC1 and a lysine‐to‐glutamine substitution at codon 751 (K751Q) in XPD—were associated with increased toxicity to 5‐FU/RT (P < .05), and an arginine‐to‐proline substitution at codon 72 (R72P) in TP53 was associated with increased toxicity to mFOLFOX‐6 (P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific polymorphisms in XRCC1, XPD, and TP53 were associated with increased toxicity to NT in patients with rectal cancer. The current results indicated that polymorphism screening may help tailor treatment for patients by selecting therapies with the lowest risk of toxicity, thus increasing patient compliance. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Condensation of Amines and Vicinal Diols to Substituted Piperazines
Authors: Lorentz‐Petersen Linda L. R. , Nordstrøm Lars Ulrik , Madsen Robert
Published: October 2012

A straightforward procedure is described for the synthesis of piperazines from amines and 1,2‐diols. The heterocyclization is catalyzed by [Cp*IrCl2]2 and sodium hydrogen carbonate and can be achieved with either toluene or water as solvent. The transformation does not require any stoichiometric additives and only produces water as the byproduct. The reaction can be performed between a 1,2‐diamine and a 1,2‐diol or by a double condensation between a primary alkylamine and a 1,2‐diol. At least one substituent is required on the piperazine ring to achieve the cyclization in good yield. The mechanism is believed to involve dehydrogenation of the 1,2‐diol to the α‐hydroxy aldehyde, which condenses with the amine to form the α‐hydroxy imine. The latter rearranges to the corresponding α‐amino carbonyl compound, which then reacts with another amine followed by reduction of the resulting imine.
Fabrication and Application of a Sensitive and Highly Stable Copper Hexacyanoferrate Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Paste Electrode for Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose Detection
Authors: Haghighi Behzad , Nazari Leila , Sajjadi S. Maryam
Published: October 2012

A three‐factor mixture design and response surface methodology were employed to find the optimal weight ratio of graphite powder,n‐dodecylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate and paraffin for the fabrication of a copper hexacyanoferrate modified carbon ionic liquid paste electrode (CuHCFe‐CILPE). The fabricated sensor showed electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation and reduction of hydrogen peroxide. It also was observed that the electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen peroxide oxidation was much higher than the electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen peroxide reduction. Glucose oxidase was then successfully immobilized on the surface of the proposed sensor to examine the possibility of using CuHCFe‐CILPE for the biosensor fabrication.
Normal Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Subnanomolar Concentrations of Chromium(VI) with Continuous Wavelet Transformation
Authors: Baś Bogusław , Bugajna Anna , Jakubowska Małgorzata , Niewiara Ewa
Published: October 2012

The renewable mercury film‐modified silver solid amalgam annular band electrode (MF‐AgSAE) applied for quantitative determination of sub‐nanomolar concentrations of Cr(VI) using differential pulse (DP) and normal pulse (NP) catalytic adsorptive striping voltammetry (CAdSV) is presented. In this context a signal processing algorithm is described and applied for the transformation of sigmoidal shaped NP curves to peak shaped curves. The method utilizes continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and a specially constructed mother wavelet defined using the ideal wave‐shaped curve. It simplifies the interpretation of sigmoidal curves. In the effect the new strategy of Cr(VI) determination is 10 times more sensitive than differential pulse and square‐wave techniques. The reproducibility is below 3–5 % (n=3) for the 0.2–2.2 nM concentration range of Cr(VI). The detection limit for 30 s preconcentration is equal to 0.05 nM with sensitivity of 0.809±0.012 µA nM−1 and is limited by the purity of the used reagents. The correlation coefficient is equal to 0.9993. For 2 nM of Cr(VI), in the tested range, 0≤tacc≤60 s, the relation wave heightaccumulation time (Iw–tacc) is linear. The operation and effectiveness of the proposed procedures was confirmed by the quantitative determination of Cr(VI) in supporting electrolyte and CRM (surface water samples and urine) with known amounts of the analyte. The obtained results show substantial improvement of the performance of NP CAdSV technique.
Porous Membranes of Montmorillonite/Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluorethylene) for Li‐Ion Battery Separators
Authors: Nunes‐Pereira J. , Lopes A. C. , Costa C. M. , Leones R. , Silva M. M. , Lanceros‐Méndez S.
Published: October 2012

Porous membranes of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) with different contents of montmorillonite (MMT) particles were prepared. The filler content does not affect the porous morphology but leads to an increase in the average pore size, porosity and electrolyte uptake up to 16 μm, 85 % and 325 %, respectively, for a membrane with 16 wt% of MMT particles. The mechanical properties, ionic conductivity and its temperature stability are improved by the presence of clays. The electrochemical stability reveals a stable operation window up to 5 V. The overall characteristics of the membranes for battery separators are optimized for the 4 wt% MMT filler content.
Electrochemical Studies and Selective Detection of Thioridazine Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with ZnS Nanoparticles and Simultaneous Determination of Thioridazine and Olanzapine
Authors: Mashhadizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Afshar Esmaeil
Published: October 2012

A novel ZnS nanoparticle‐modified carbon paste electrode (ZnSNP‐MCPE) was fabricated and used to study the electrooxidation of thioridazine (TR) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The determination conditions, such as accumulation time, pH of solution, and modifier amount were optimized. The mechanism of the electrooxidation process on the surface of the modified electrode was studied electrochemically. A linear range of 0.1–36.0 µM with detection limit of 65.0 nM was obtained for TR. In a mixture containing TR and olanzapine (OLZ), the DPV peaks of two compounds can be well separate from each other with a potential difference of 425 mV. Finally, this method was successfully applied to determinate the TR content in real samples.
Effect of carbon dioxide on the rheological behavior of submerged cultures of Chlorella minutissima in stirred tank reactors
Authors: Madireddi Nihit , Daniel David K. , Sankar Vani , Krastanov Albert
Published: October 2012

The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of algal biomass concentration on the rheology of the algal culture broth. Batch cultivations of Chlorella minutissima were carried out with air and carbon dioxide in a stirred tank bioreactor with a working volume of 1.8 L. The apparent viscosity of the culture broth was significantly affected by the cell mass concentrations in the bioreactor. Culture broth containing 50 g/L cell mass from air fed was found to exhibit an apparent viscosity of 1.52 mPa.s. The apparent viscosity of the carbon‐dioxide‐fed cultivations was found to increase by 20% at a shear rate of 100 s−1. The flow behavior of the system was adequately described by the Herschel–Bulkley model with a small yield stress.
Emerging genetics of COPD
Authors: Berndt Annerose , Leme Adriana S. , Shapiro Steven D.
Published: October 2012

Since the discovery of alpha‐1 antitrypsin in the early 1960s, several new genes have been suggested to play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Yet, in spite of those advances, much about the genetic basis of COPD still remains to be discovered. Unbiased approaches, such as genome‐wide association (GWA) studies, are critical to identify genes and pathways and to verify suggested genetic variants. Indeed, most of our current understanding about COPD candidate genes originates from GWA studies. Experiments in form of cross‐study replications and advanced meta‐analyses have propelled the field towards unravelling details about COPD's pathogenesis. Here, we review the discovery of genetic variants in association with COPD phenotypes by discussing the available approaches and current findings. Limitations of current studies are considered and future directions provided.
Slope failures and erosion rates on a glacierized high‐mountain face under climatic changes
Authors: Fischer Luzia , Huggel Christian , Kääb Andreas , Haeberli Wilfried
Published: October 2012

In this study, rapid topographic changes and increased erosion rates caused by massive slope failures in a glacierized and permafrost‐affected high‐mountain face were investigated with respect to the current climatic change. The study was conducted at one of the highest periglacial rock faces in the European Alps, the east face of Monte Rosa, Italy. Pronounced changes in ice cover and repeated rock and ice avalanche events have been documented in this rock wall since around 1990. The performed multi‐temporal comparison of high‐resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) complemented by detailed analyses of repeat photography represents a unique assessment of topographic changes and slope failures over half a century and reveals a total volume loss in bedrock and steep glaciers in the central part of the face of around 25 × 106 m3 between 1988 and 2007. The high rock and ice avalanche activity translates into an increase in erosion rates of about one order of magnitude during recent decades.

The study indicates that changes in atmospheric temperatures and connected changes in ice cover can induce slope destabilization in high‐mountain faces. Analyses of temperature data show that the start of the intense mass movement activity coincided with increased mean annual temperatures in the region around 1990. However, once triggered, mass movement activity seems to be able to proceed in a self‐reinforcing cycle, whereby single mass movement events might be strongly influenced by short‐term extreme temperature events. The investigations suggest a strong stability coupling between steep glaciers and underlying bedrock, as most bedrock instabilities are located in areas where surface ice has disappeared recently and the failure zones are frequently spatially correlated and often develop from lower altitudes progressively upwards. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.