bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo post‐translational modifications of recombinant mussel adhesive protein in insect cells
Authors: Lim Seonghye , Kim Kyoung Ro , Choi Yoo Seong , Kim Dae‐Kyum , Hwang Daehee , Cha Hyung Joon
Published: June 2011

Mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) have been suggested as promising bioadhesives for diverse application fields, including medical uses. Previously, we successfully constructed and produced a new type of functional recombinant MAP, fp‐151, in a prokaryotic Escherichia coli expression system. Even though the E. coli‐derived MAP showed several excellent features, such as high production yield and efficient purification, in vitro enzymatic modification is required to convert tyrosine residues to l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl alanine (dopa) molecules for its adhesive ability, due to the intrinsic inability of E. coli to undergo post‐translational modification. In this work, we produced a soluble recombinant MAP in insect Sf9 cells, which are widely used as an effective and convenient eukaryotic expression system for eukaryotic foreign proteins. Importantly, we found that insect‐derived MAP contained converted dopa residues by in vivo post‐translational modification. In addition, insect‐derived MAP also had other post‐translational modifications including phosphorylation of serine and hydroxylation of proline that originally occurred in some natural MAPs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on in vivo post‐translational modifications of MAP containing dopa and other modified amino acid residues. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Progress curve analysis of qRT‐PCR reactions using the logistic growth equation
Authors: Liu Meile , Udhe‐Stone Claudia , Goudar Chetan T.
Published: June 2011

We present an alternate approach for analyzing data from real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) experiments by fitting individual fluorescence vs. cycle number (F vs. C) curves to the logistic growth equation. The best fit parameters determined by nonlinear least squares were used to compute the second derivative of the logistic equation and the cycle threshold, Ct, was determined from the maximum value of the second derivative. This Ct value was subsequently used to determine ΔΔCt and the amplification efficiency, En, thereby completing the analysis on a qRT‐PCR data set. The robustness of the logistic approach was verified by testing ∼600 F vs. C curves using both new and previously published data sets. In most cases, comparisons were made between the logistic estimates and those from the standard curve and comparative Ct methods. Deviations between the logistic and standard curve method ranged between 3–10% for Ct estimates, 2–10% for ΔΔCt estimates, and 1–11% for En estimates. The correlations between Ct estimates from the logistic and standard curve methods were very high, often >0.95. When compared with five other established methods of qRT‐PCR data analysis to predict initial concentrations of two genes encompassing a total of 500 F vs. C curves, the logistic estimates were of comparable accuracy. This reliable performance of the logistic approach comes without the need to construct standard curves which can be a laborious undertaking. Also, no a priori assumptions for En are necessary while some other methods assume equal En values for the reference and target genes, an assumption that is not universally valid. In addition, by accurately describing the data in the plateau region of the F vs. C curve, the logistic method overcomes the limitations of the sigmoidal curve fitting method. The streamlined nature of the logistic approach makes it ideal for complete automation on a variety of computing environments thereby completely eliminating user bias. The simplicity, robustness, and ease of computer implementation of the logistic approach should make it an attractive alternative for rapidly analyzing qRT‐PCR data. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Use of a dose‐dependent follow‐up protocol and mechanisms to reduce patients and staff radiation exposure in congenital and structural interventions
Authors: Sawdy Jaclynn M. , Kempton Tanya Maria , Olshove Vincent , Gocha Mark , Chisolm Joanne L. , Hill Sharon L. , Kirk Amy , Cheatham John P. , Holzer Ralf J.
Published: June 2011

Background: Increasingly complex structural/congenital cardiac interventions require efforts at reducing patient/staff radiation exposure. Standard follow‐up protocols are often inadequate in detecting all patients that may have sustained radiation burns. Methods: Single‐center retrospective chart review divided into four intervals. Phase 1 (07/07–06/08, 413 procedures (proc)): follow‐up based on fluoroscopy time only; frame rate for digital acquisition (DA) 30 fps, and fluoroscopy (FL) 30 fps. Dose‐based follow‐up was used for phase 2–4. Phase 2 (07/08–08/09, 458 proc): DA: 30 fps, FL: 15 fps. Phase 3 (09/09–06/10, 350 proc): DA: 15–30 fps, FL: 15 fps, use of added radiation protection drape. Phase 4 (07/10–10/10, 89 proc): DA: 15–30 fps, FL: 15 fps, superior noise reduction filter (SNRF) with high‐quality fluoro‐record capabilities. Results: There was a significant reduction in the median cumulative air kerma between the four study periods (710 mGy vs. 566 mGy vs. 498 mGy vs. 241 mGy, P < 0.001), even though the overall fluoroscopy times remained very similar (25 min vs. 26 min vs. 26 min vs. 23 min, P = 0.957). There was a trend towards lower physician radiation exposure over the four study periods (137 mrem vs. 126 mrem vs. 108 mrem vs. 59 mrem, P = 0.15). Fifteen patients with radiation burns were identified during the study period. When changing to a dose‐based follow‐up protocol (phase 1 vs. phase 2), there was a significant increase in the incidence of detected radiation burns (0.5% vs. 2%, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Dose‐based follow‐up protocols are superior in detecting radiation burns when compared to fluoroscopy time‐based protocols. Frame rate reduction of fluoroscopy and cine acquisition and use of modified imaging equipment can achieve a significant reduction to patient/staff exposure. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The First Total Synthesis of Cytopiloyne, an Anti‐Diabetic, Polyacetylenic Glucoside
Authors: Kumar Chidambaram Ramesh , Tsai Chi‐Hui , Chao Yu‐Sheng , Lee Jinq‐Chyi
Published: June 2011

The first total synthesis of cytopiloyne 1, a novel bioactive polyacetylenic glucoside isolated from the extract of Bidens pilosa, is described. The structure of cytopiloyne was determined to be 2‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy‐1‐hydroxytrideca‐5,7,9,11‐tetrayne by using various spectroscopic methods, but the chirality of the polyyne moiety was unknown. Herein, the convergent synthesis of two diastereomers of cytopiloyne by starting from commercially available 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐diozolane is described. The synthetic sequence involved two key steps: stereoselective glycosylation of the glucosyl trichloroacetimidate with 1‐[(4‐methoxybenzyl)oxy]hex‐5‐yn‐2‐ol to give the desired β‐glycoside and the construction of the glucosyl tetrayne skeleton by using a palladium/silver‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction to form the alkyne–alkyne bond, the first such use of this reaction. Comparison between the observed and published characterization data showed the 2R isomer to be the natural product cytopiloyne.
ChemInform Abstract: Organometallic Ruthenium‐Based Antitumor Compounds with Novel Modes of Action
Authors: Ang Wee Han , Casini Angela , Sava Gianna , Dyson Paul J.
Published: June 2011

Review: 93 refs.
High‐performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of Betti base analogs on a newly developed isopropyl carbamate‐cyclofructan6‐based chiral stationary phase
Authors: Aranyi Anita , Ilisz István , Pataj Zoltán , Szatmári István , Fülöp Ferenc , Armstrong Daniel W. , Péter Antal
Published: June 2011

The direct separation of the enantiomers of 1‐(α‐aminoarylmethyl)‐2‐naphthol, 1‐(α‐aminoalkyl)‐2‐naphthol, 2‐(α‐aminoarylmethyl)‐1‐naphthol analogs, and 2‐(1‐amino‐2‐methylpropyl)‐1‐naphthol) was performed on a newly developed chiral stationary phase containing isopropyl carbamate‐cyclofructan6 as chiral selector, with n‐heptane/alcohol/trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phase. The effects of the mobile‐phase composition, the nature and concentration of the alcoholic and acidic modifiers, and the structures of the analytes on the retention and resolution were investigated. In some cases, separations were carried out at constant mobile‐phase compositions in the temperature range 5–40°C. Thermodynamic parameters and Tiso values were calculated from plots of ln k′ or ln α versus 1/T. −Δ(ΔH°) ranged from 2.8 to 3.2 kJ mol−1, −Δ(ΔS°) from 7.7 to 10.1 J mol−1 K−1, and −Δ(ΔG°) from 0.2 to 0.5 kJ mol−1. It was found that the enantioseparations were enthalpy driven. The sequence of elution of the stereoisomers determined in some cases was (R) < (S). Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular Modeling Basics. By Jan H. Hensen
Authors: Tonner Ralf
Published: June 2011

Press, 2010, 189 pp., softcover, US$ 49.95, ISBN: 9781420075267
T1, T2 State Energies and Electron Affinities of Small α,ω‐Diphenylpolyenes Investigated by Anion Photodetachment Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Excited‐State Theory
Authors: Vogeler Ferdinand , Siegert Swen , Marian Christel M. , Weinkauf Rainer
Published: June 2011

Photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy (PD‐PES) on molecular radical anions provides electron affinities and direct spectroscopic access to the lowest triplet states T1 and T2 of the corresponding neutral molecules. Herein, we apply this method to investigate trans‐stilbene (SB), all‐trans‐1,4‐diphenyl‐1,3‐butadiene (DPB), and all‐trans‐1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene (DPH). Our gas‐phase T1 energies agree with previous measurements on condensed crystals. The T2 state energies are determined in this work for the first time. Experimental electron affinities, neutral excited‐state transition energies and intensities are compared to theoretical data calculated by using DFT (ground states) or DFT/MRCI (excited states) methods. We give an explanation why intersystem crossing is of minor importance in all three compounds although the T2 states are situated close below the S1 states.
Mg11Cu6Al12, A New Link in the Structural Chemistry of MgCu2‐Type Clusters
Authors: Berns Veronica M. , Stacey Timothy E. , Sapiro Michael , Fredrickson Daniel C.
Published: June 2011

We report the synthesis and crystal structure of a new phase in the Mg‐Cu‐Al system: Mg11Cu6Al12. This compound crystallizes in the K17In41 structure type. When written asMg17–xCuxAl12, x = 6, the composition of this phase foretells a connection to Mg17Al12 (α‐Mn type). The structures of both can be constructed from 29‐atom fragments of the MgCu2 structure type. They differ in the orientations of these fragments: the Mg11Cu6Al12 structure is obtained when half of the MgCu2‐type clusters of Mg17Al12 are rotated by 90°. Electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and the extended Hückel (eH) method point to driving forces for this structural transformation. Density of states (DOS) curves calculated for Mg11Cu6Al12 in the two structure types indicate that both are stabilized by DOS minima close to the Fermi energy, with the pseudogap being deeper for the observed structure. An eH relative Mulliken population analysis reveals that cluster rotation also changes the electronic character of the outermost sites of the MgCu2‐type fragments: six atoms per formula unit go from being ambiguous to anionic, and thus suitable to occupation by relatively electronegative elements. These are the positions occupied by Cu in Mg11Cu6Al12. The creation of these six anionic sites adapted to occupation by Cu provides an impetus for cluster rotation. The removal of ambiguity of the outermost sites of the MgCu2‐type fragments creates extended networks of anionic and cationic sites in Mg11Cu6Al12. The cationic sites trace out the clathrate II framework noted by Corbett and co‐workers in the K17In41 type, while the anionic sites ensheathe this framework to complete Friauf polyhedra around the framework atoms.
Synthesis of an Acyclic C1–C11 Fragment of Peloruside B
Authors: Zang Qin , Gulab Shivali , Stocker Bridget L. , Baars Sylvia , Hoberg John O.
Published: June 2011

The synthesis of a C1 reduced form of the C1–C11 fragment of peloruside B has been achieved in 15 synthetic steps. The strategy involved the use of D‐tartaric acid to set the absolute stereochemistry and a 1,5‐anti Mukiayama aldol reaction. Analog synthesis of C8–C11 is also reported, which enables changes at the C10 position of peloruside B to be made. The synthesis of the fragment concludes with C1 in the protected alcohol state rather than the natural ester.
Androstanes with Modified Carbon Skeletons
Authors: Norden Sascha , Bender Matthias , Rullkötter Jürgen , Christoffers Jens
Published: June 2011

Four sterane hydrocarbons were prepared for comparison with fossil organic biomarkers in geological samples from Oman. 17β‐Methylestrane was prepared in six steps (36 % overall yield) from estrone methyl ether. Key steps of this sequence were a Wittig olefination and Birch reduction of the A‐ring. 17β‐Methylandrostane was obtained in four steps (85 % overall yield) from trans‐androsterone by four functional group interconverting reactions, including a Wittig olefination. 17β‐Methyl‐ and 2α‐methyl‐A‐nor‐5α‐androstanes (14 and 15 % overall yields, respectively) were also prepared from trans‐androsterone. Key steps were the thallium trinitrate mediated ring contractions of A‐ring ketones to A‐nor‐2‐carboxylic acids. Defunctionalization in the four syntheses was achieved by catalytic hydrogenation, Huang‐Minlon reduction, Barton decarboxylation, and Bu3SnH‐mediated reduction of a chloromethyl group, respectively.
Influence of dissolved organic carbon on toxicity of copper to a unionid mussel (Villosa iris) and a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia) in acute and chronic water exposures
Authors: Wang Ning , Mebane Christopher A , Kunz James L , Ingersoll Christopher G , Brumbaugh William G , Santore Robert C , Gorsuch Joseph W , Arnold W. Ray
Published: June 2011

Acute and chronic toxicity of copper (Cu) to a unionid mussel (Villosa iris) and a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia) were determined in water exposures at four concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC; nominally 0.5, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/L as carbon [C]). Test waters with DOC concentrations of 2.5 to 10 mg C/L were prepared by mixing a concentrate of natural organic matter (Suwannee River, GA, USA) in diluted well water (hardness 100 mg/L as CaCO3, pH 8.3, DOC 0.5 mg C/L). Acute median effect concentrations (EC50s) for dissolved Cu increased approximately fivefold (15–72 µg Cu/L) for mussel survival in 4-d exposures and increased about 11-fold (25–267 µg Cu/L) for cladoceran survival in 2-d exposures across DOC concentrations from 0.5 to 10 mg C/L. Similarly, chronic 20% effect concentrations (EC20s) for the mussel in 28-d exposures increased about fivefold (13–61 µg Cu/L for survival; 8.8–38 µg Cu/L for biomass), and the EC20s for the cladoceran in 7-d exposures increased approximately 17-fold (13–215 µg Cu/L) for survival or approximately fourfold (12–42 µg Cu/L) for reproduction across DOC concentrations from 0.5 to 10 mg C/L. The acute and chronic values for the mussel were less than or approximately equal to the values for the cladoceran. Predictions from the biotic ligand model (BLM) used to derive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) for Cu explained more than 90% of the variation in the acute and chronic endpoints for the two species, with the exception of the EC20 for cladoceran reproduction (only 46% of variation explained). The BLM-normalized acute EC50s and chronic EC20s for the mussel and BLM-normalized chronic EC20s for the cladoceran in waters with DOC concentrations of 2.5 to 10 mg C/L were equal to or less than the final acute value and final chronic value in the BLM-based AWQC for Cu, respectively, indicating that the Cu AWQC might not adequately protect the mussel from acute and chronic exposure, and the cladoceran from chronic exposure. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2115–2125. © 2011 SETAC
Separating brain processing of pain fromthat of stimulus intensity
Authors: Oertel Bruno G. , Preibisch Christine , Martin Till , Walter Carmen , Gamer Matthias , Deichmann Ralf , Lötsch Jörn
Published: June 2011

Regions of the brain network activated by painful stimuli are also activated by nonpainful and even nonsomatosensory stimuli. We therefore analyzed where the qualitative change from nonpainful to painful perception at the pain thresholds is coded. Noxious stimuli of gaseous carbon dioxide (n = 50) were applied to the nasal mucosa of 24 healthy volunteers at various concentrations from 10% below to 10% above the individual pain threshold. Functional magnetic resonance images showed that these trigeminal stimuli activated brain regions regarded as the “pain matrix.” However, most of these activations, including the posterior insula, the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex, the amygdala, and the middle cingulate cortex, were associated with quantitative changes in stimulus intensity and did not exclusively reflect the qualitative change from nonpainful to pain. After subtracting brain activations associated with quantitative changes in the stimuli, the qualitative change, reflecting pain‐exclusive activations, could be localized mainly in the posterior insular cortex. This shows that cerebral processing of noxious stimuli focuses predominately on the quantitative properties of stimulus intensity in both their sensory and affective dimensions, whereas the integration of this information into the perception of pain is restricted to a small part of the pain matrix. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
6‐Sulfatoxymelatonin as a predictor of clinical outcome in depressive patients
Authors: Hidalgo Maria Paz Loayza , Caumo Wolnei , Dantas Giovana , Franco Daiane Gil , da Silva Torres Iraci Lucena , Pezzi Julio , Elisabetsky Elaine , Detanico Bernardo Carraro , Piato Ângelo , Markus Regina P.
Published: June 2011

Objectives

This study established the value of the 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) urine concentration as a predictor of the therapeutic response to noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors in depressive patients.

Methods

Twenty‐two women aged 18–60 years were selected. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Hamilton Depression Scale. Urine samples were collected at 0600–1200 h, 1200–1800 h, 1800–2400 h, and 2400–0600 h intervals, 1 day before and 1 day after starting on the nortriptyline treatment. Urine aMT6s concentration was analyzed by a one‐way analysis of variance/Bonferroni test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between depressive symptoms after 2 weeks of antidepressant treatment and the increase in aMT6s urine concentration.

Results

Higher and lower size effect groups were compared by independent Student's t‐tests. At baseline, the 2400‐ to 0600‐h interval differed from all other intervals presenting a significantly higher aMT6s urine concentration. A significant difference in aMT6s urine concentrations was found 1 day after treatment in all four intervals. Higher size effect group had lower levels of depressive symptoms 2 weeks after the treatment. A positive correlation between depressive symptoms and the delta of aMT6s in the 2400–06 00h interval was observed.

Conclusion

Our results reinforce the hypothesis that aMT6s excretion is a predictor of clinical outcome in depression, especially in regard to noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calpain‐6 is an endothelin‐1 signaling dependent protective factor in chemoresistant osteosarcoma
Authors: Marion Allison , Dieudonné François‐Xavier , Patiño‐Garcia Ana , Lecanda Fernando , Marie Pierre J. , Modrowski Dominique
Published: June 2011

Bone tumors strongly influence normal tissues and stimulate bone cells for the production of cytokines supporting proliferation and abnormal survival in cancer cells. We previously reported that the proteoglycan syndecan‐2 controls the activity of various cytokines and growth factors and also modulates apoptosis and response to cytotoxic agents in osteosarcoma cell lines. Here, we show that syndecan‐2 has a stronger tumor suppressor activity in
vivo. We identify calpain‐6 as a target gene downregulated by syndecan‐2 in cells and in vivo. We demonstrate that calpain‐6 expression in osteosarcoma cells depends on endothelin‐1, a mediator of the tumor progression in bone. Syndecan‐2 overexpression alters ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT and NFκB pathways that are calpain‐6‐promoting signals downstream of endothelin‐1. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that calpain‐6 is expressed in human bone tumors and metastases. A high expression of calpain‐6 was specially found in recurrent osteosarcoma. Moreover, calpain‐6 levels in primary tumors were inversely related to the response to chemotherapy. Consistently, calpain‐6 was increased by doxorubicin and was found to be expressed at higher levels in doxorubicin‐resistant U2OS osteosarcoma‐derived cells as compared to responsive cells. Inhibition of calpain‐6 with shRNA resulted in decreased proliferation, increased spontaneous apoptosis and increased sensitivity to doxorubicin and also methotrexate in responsive and resistant osteosarcoma cells. Taken together, our data show that syndecan‐2 exerts its pro‐apoptotic function through modulation of the endothelin‐1/NFκB signaling and through downregulation of calpain‐6, a protective factor that contributes to abnormal cell survival. Thus, this study identifies calpain‐6 as a new possible therapeutic target in chemoresistant osteosarcoma.
Keratin hydrogels support the sustained release of bioactive ciprofloxacin
Authors: Saul Justin M. , Ellenburg Mary D. , de Guzman Roche C. , Dyke Mark Van
Published: June 2011

Keratins are naturally derived proteins that can be fabricated into several biomaterial forms including hydrogels. These materials are a potential polymeric system for several tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications due to their ability to support cell attachment, proliferation, and migration. However, little is known regarding their ability to support sustained release of therapeutic agents. This report describes the use of keratin hydrogels for sustained release of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which may prove useful to traumatic injury applications that would benefit from materials promoting tissue regeneration while also preventing acute infection. Hydrogels were formed from keratins obtained by oxidative extraction and known as keratose. We found that keratose hydrogels released ∼60% of loaded ciprofloxacin over the first 10 days and that continued release was detectable over the course of 3 weeks. Released ciprofloxacin was bioactive, inhibiting growth of Staphylococcus aureus for 23 days in vitro and for 2 weeks in a mouse subcutaneous model. The rate of ciprofloxacin release was highly correlated with degradation of the keratin hydrogel and not consistent with simple diffusion. Further experiments indicated that ciprofloxacin binds to keratose through electrostatic interactions. These studies demonstrate the specific use of keratose hydrogels for the release of antibiotic and the potential for the more general use of this material in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Studies on the hemocompatibility of bacterial cellulose
Authors: Andrade Fábia K. , Silva João Pedro , Carvalho Manuela , Castanheira Elisabete M. S. , Soares Raquel , Gama Miguel
Published: June 2011

Among the strategies to improve a material's hemocompatibility, pre‐coating with the tripeptide Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) is used to favor endothelialization thus lowering thrombogenicity. The blood compatibility of native and RGD‐modified bacterial cellulose (BC) was studied in this work for the first time. The plasma recalcification time and whole blood clotting results demonstrate the hemocompatibility of BC. A significant amount of plasma protein adsorb to BC fibres, however, according to analysis by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence techniques when albumin, γ‐globulin, and fibrinogen from pure protein solutions adsorb to BC do not undergo detectable conformational modifications. Human microvascular endothelial cells cultured on RGD‐modified BC readily form a confluent cell layer, inhibiting the adhesion of platelets. As a general conclusion, both native and RGD‐modified BCs may be classified as hemocompatible materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Characteristics of hydroxyapatite film formed on human enamel with the powder jet deposition technique
Authors: Akatsuka Ryo , Sasaki Keiichi , Zahmaty Mohammed Saeed Sepasy , Noji Miyoko , Anada Takahisa , Suzuki Osamu , Kuriyagawa Tsunemoto
Published: June 2011

This study aimed to create hydroxyapatite (HAp) film by powder jet deposition with manipulating the blasting nozzle above human enamel and to examine the microstructural and mechanical properties of the HAp film and the bonding strength at the interface between the HAp film and the enamel substrate. HAp particles calcinated at 1200°C with an average size of 4.7 μm were used. The HAp particles were mixed with carrier gas (N2) to form an aerosol flow and was accelerated and blasted from the nozzle onto the enamel substrate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. To evaluate the microstructure, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the surface and cross section of the HAp films and a three‐dimensional profile of the HAp films were observed. To evaluate the mechanical properties, the micro‐Vickers hardness and the bonding strength of the HAp films to the enamel substrate were measured. The deposition area of the HAp film was over 3 × 4 mm. The average and maximum thickness were about 30 and 40 μm, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the hardness of the HAp film and the enamel (p > 0.05). The bonding strength of the HAp film was the same as the bonding strength between composite resin and enamel. Compared with previous reports, wider and thicker HAp film was created on the enamel substrate successfully. The HAp film, which has same hardness with enamel and same bonding strength to the enamel with composite resin, would be a candidate as dental restorative materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Gene modification with integrin‐linked kinase improves function of endothelial progenitor cells in pre‐eclampsia in vitro
Authors: Wang Fang , Wang Ying , Zhang Li , Zou Li
Published: June 2011

Integrin‐linked kinase (ILK), a multifunctional serine–threonine protein kinase, has been shown to have implications for the treatment of ischemia vascular diseases by promoting angiogenesis in various tissues. However, whether this kinase has therapeutic potential in pre‐eclampsia is not well studied. In this report, we determined the changes in the production and action of ILK on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) isolated from patients with pre‐eclampsia. The effects of ILK transfection on proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs were investigated. We showed that EPCs transfected with the ILK gene expressed high levels of ILK protein and mRNA. Transfection with ILK also enhanced the proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic capabilities of EPCs, and promoted the production of VEGF. These results suggest that ILK gene transfection is an effective approach to augment angiogenic properties of EPCs in vitro and providing basis for clinical cell‐based gene therapy in patients with pre‐eclampsia. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3103–3111, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lessons learned from a long‐term psychoanalysis on the telephone
Authors:   Anonymous
Published: June 2011

This article describes my 30+ years of psychoanalysis, the bulk of which has occurred on the telephone. I am publishing the article anonymously so that I can speak freely, without family or professional repercussions, about these vital topics. Of the myriad issues that have been addressed in the treatment, I have elected to focus in this article on separation‐individuation challenges, adult‐life trauma, career dynamics, silences in analysis, and the value of consultations and adjunctive treatments. The article focuses on the applicability of these themes to my personal life and their relevance to me as a clinician and clinical supervisor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–10, 2011.
Glucocorticoid alternative effects on proliferating and differentiated mammary epithelium are associated to opposite regulation of cell‐cycle inhibitor expression
Authors: Hoijman Esteban , Rocha‐Viegas Luciana , Kalko Susana G. , Rubinstein Natalia , Morales‐Ruiz Manuel , Joffé Elisa Bal de Kier , Kordon Edith C. , Pecci Adali
Published: June 2011

Glucocorticoids influence post‐natal mammary gland development by sequentially controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In the mammary gland, it has been demonstrated that glucocorticoid treatment inhibits epithelial apoptosis in post‐lactating glands. In this study, our first goal was to identify new glucocorticoid target genes that could be involved in generating this effect. Expression profiling, by microarray analysis, revealed that expression of several cell‐cycle control genes was altered by dexamethasone (DEX) treatment after lactation. Importantly, it was determined that not only the exogenous synthetic hormone, but also the endogenous glucocorticoids regulated the expression of these genes. Particularly, we found that the expression of cell cycle inhibitors p21CIP1, p18INK4c, and Atm was differentially regulated by glucocorticoids through the successive stages of mammary gland development. In undifferentiated cells, DEX treatment induced their expression and reduced cell proliferation, while in differentiated cells this hormone repressed expression of those cell cycle inhibitors and promoted survival. Therefore, differentiation status determined the effect of glucocorticoids on mammary cell fate. Particularly, we have determined that p21CIP1 inhibition would mediate the activity of these hormones in differentiated mammary cells because over‐expression of this protein blocked DEX‐induced apoptosis protection. Together, our data suggest that the multiple roles played by glucocorticoids in mammary gland development and function might be at least partially due to the alternative roles that these hormones play on the expression of cell cycle regulators. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1721–1730, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Post‐transcriptional regulation of the Ras‐ERK/MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Whelan Jarrett T. , Hollis Sarah E. , Cha Dong Seok , Asch Adam S. , Lee Myon‐Hee
Published: June 2011

The Ras‐ERK/MAP (Mitogen‐Activated Protein) kinase signaling pathway governs many cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, cell fate, homeostasis, and survival in all eukaryotes. Constitutive activation of the Ras‐ERK/MAPK signaling pathway often leads to promotion of abnormal cell growth and tumorigenesis. Although the regulation of the Ras‐ERK/MAPK signaling pathway by post‐translational modification has been well elucidated, post‐transcriptional regulations of this pathway are beginning to emerge in invertebrates and this work is extended to humans. In this review, we describe the conserved regulation of Ras‐ERK/MAPK signaling by RNA‐binding proteins (PUF, KH‐domain, HuR, and LARP) and microRNAs (let‐7 family miRNAs) and important implications for human diseases including cancers. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1235–1241, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Native polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of Ponceau Red to study oligomeric states of protein complexes
Authors: Dráb Tomáš , Kračmerová Jana , Tichá Ivana , Hanzlíková Eva , Tichá Marie , Liberda Jiří
Published: June 2011

Native polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of two reversible protein anionic stains (Ponceau S and Ponceau 2R) was used to study the oligomeric states of soluble proteins. A mild binding of the used protein stains to nondissociated protein oligomers imposed a charge shift on the proteins resulting into separation of protein species according to their size under physiological conditions. Adsorbed stains could be easily removed after electrophoresis by washing of polyacrylamide gel with buffer and protein complexes could be visualized either by the detection of their enzyme activity or by using a nonspecific protein stain. The specific detection of enzyme activity of glycosidases, lactate dehydrogenase, or phosphatases was shown as an example.
α,ω‐Functionalized Poly(2‐Oxazoline)s Bearing Hydroxyl and Amino Functions
Authors: Reif Michael , Jordan Rainer
Published: June 2011

Novel α,ω‐functionalized amphiphilic lipopolymers are prepared that are composed of a proximal lipid moiety and a hydrophilic poly(2‐oxazoline)‐based (POx) polymer chain. The synthesis begins from bifunctional lipoinitiators, which are asymmetrically protected as tert.butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) ethers, followed by cationic living ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐oxazolines in a one‐pot multistep reaction. This results in polymers with defined terminal end groups and narrow molar mass distributions. All protective groups involved can be readily cleaved in a single step reaction keeping the structure of the polymer intact, giving access to (lipo)polymers with a variety of defined identical or chemical orthogonal α,ω‐functionalities. The synthetic strategy is a versatile tool for the preparation of defined polymer–drug or polymer–protein conjugates or asymmetric functionalized model lipid membranes for the quantitative study of membrane‐associated phenomena such as transmembrane transport and cell adhesion/recognition.

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Targeting COPD: advances on low‐molecular‐weight inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase
Authors: Lucas Susana D. , Costa Elsa , Guedes Rita C. , Moreira Rui
Published: June 2011

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major increasing health problem and the World Health Organization (WHO) reports COPD as the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. COPD refers to a condition of inflammation and progressive weakening of the structure of the lung as well as irreversible narrowing of the airways. Current treatment is only palliative and no available drug halts the progression of the disease. Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease, which plays a major role in the COPD inflammatory process. The protease/anti‐protease imbalance leads to an excess of extracellular HNE hydrolyzing elastin, the structural protein that confers elasticity to the lung tissue. Although HNE was identified as a therapeutic target for COPD more than 30 years ago, only Sivelestat (ONO‐5046), an HNE inhibitor from Ono Pharmaceutical, has been approved for clinical use. Nevertheless, Sivelestat is only approved in Japan and its development in the USA was terminated in 2003. Other inhibitors in pre‐clinical or phase I trials were discontinued for various reasons. Hence, there is an urgent need for low‐molecular‐weight synthetic elastase inhibitors and the present review discusses the recent advances on this field covering acylating agents, transition‐state inhibitors, mechanism‐based inhibitors, relevant natural products, and major patent disclosures.
Design of low‐timing‐jitter, stable picosecond optical‐pulse source using an uncooled gain‐switched Fabry–Perot semiconductor laser with external continuous‐wave light injection
Authors: Liu Yuanshan , Zhang Jian‐Guo
Published: June 2011

This paper presents the design of a low‐timing‐jitter, stable picosecond optical‐pulse source, which is based on a low‐cost, uncooled Fabry–Perot (FP) semiconductor laser in the gain‐switching operation. The wavelength of the designed laser can be tuned from 1538 to 1554 nm under the condition of external continuous‐wave (CW) light injection. The relationship between injection light power and timing jitter or between injection light power and pulse width of this gain‐switched laser is studied experimentally. Our results show that the optical pulses with widths about 28 and 19 ps at the repetition frequencies of 2.5 and 5 GHz, respectively, are produced by an uncooled gain‐switched FP semiconductor laser with timing jitter ≤600 fs, when the injection power and wavelength of an external CW light are appropriately chosen. The use of a 500‐m dispersion‐compensation fiber can easily compress the optical pulses from 26 to 7.7 ps. Moreover, the stability of an uncooled gain‐switched FP laser is experimentally investigated, and a stable optical‐pulse train at 5 GHz can be feasibly produced over 7 h of continuously working. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26176
A compact multiband antenna for WLAN and WiMAX applications
Authors: Wang Chen , Xu Ping , Li Bo , Yan Ze‐Hong
Published: June 2011

A compact printed monopole antenna applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications is proposed. By combining a C‐shaped strip and two L‐shaped strips, fed by a 50‐Ω microstrip transmission line, multiple impedance bandwidths covering WLAN/2.4/5.2/5.8 and WiMAX/3.5 are obtained. Further, the proposed antenna occupies a small size of 35 × 20 mm2, and has good radiation characteristic and peak gains to be 2.77, 2.92, and 3.04 dBi at 2.45, 3.5, and 5.5 GHz, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26183
Impedance matching and spurious‐response suppression in stepped‐impedance low pass filters
Authors: Oraizi Homayoon , Seyyed‐Esfahlan Mehdi
Published: June 2011

In this article, the method of least squares is used to design a stepped‐impedance low pass filter with arbitrary specifications on the pass, transition, and stop bands, having different input and output impedances.The equivalent circuits of the line sections and step discontinuities are used (with appropriate dispersion relations) to determine the filter transmission matrix and the scattering parameters, which are then used to construct an error function. Its minimization is performed by the combination of particle swarm optimization and conjugate gradient methods. The conversion of lumped filter designs, by Butterworth, Chebyshev, and elliptic methods to the equivalent microstrip filters (namely conversion of L and C components to strip lines) may be difficult to realize. The proposed method of least squares procedure leads to the design characteristics having sharper transition bands and a wider pass band. The rectangular split ring resonators, as patterned ground plane, will remove the spurious responses in the stop band and actually increase the stop bandwidth. The results obtained by full‐wave simulation softwares, fabrication, and measurements verify the proposed method for low pass stepped‐impedance filter design. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26184
Design of a PIFA with parasitic F‐element miniaturized antenna assembly for lower band ultra‐wideband and IEEE 802.11a applications
Authors: See Chan H. , Abd‐Alhameed Raed A. , Hraga H.I. , Elfergani Issa T. E. , Abusitta Musa M. , Adnan S.
Published: June 2011

In this article, a planar inverted‐FF antenna with suspended rectangular feeding mechanism is presented for lower band ultra‐wideband and IEEE 802.11a wireless local area network applications. By manipulating the optimum strong electromagnetic coupling distance between driven and parasitic F‐shaped radiators on a small ground plane, two closely separate resonances can be merged to form a wide impedance bandwidth of 73.7% (3.0–6.5 GHz) at |S11| < −10 dB. The overall occupied antenna volume is 30 × 15 × 3 mm3 to satisfy the size requirement of modern wireless devices. The impact of the different antenna geometry parameters on the antenna performance is studied. The corresponding measured radiation patterns, gains and group delays are given to fully characterize the performance of this antenna. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26189
Designing a chip antenna with dual‐band by a material‐loading technique
Authors: Huang Chi‐Fang , Yeh Pei‐Lan
Published: June 2011

Based on a manufacturing technology of traditional machinery, a design method of chip antenna is proposed for the dual‐band operation of GSM wireless communication. This new approach emphasizes several skills for the optimal frequency tuning for this kind of antenna with material‐loaded meander line. Results of both simulation and measurement are shown to validate this design technique. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26190
Dual‐band MIMO antenna using polarization diversity for 4G mobile handset application
Authors: Han Minseok , Choi Jaehoon
Published: June 2011

A dual‐band multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna using polarization diversity is proposed for a 4G mobile handset application.The proposed MIMO antenna consists of two printed dual‐band PIFAs with a slotted strip. Input port 1 of the first PIFA is orthogonally disposed with respect to input port 2 of the second PIFA. The orthogonal placement of the two feed points ensures that the dominant polarization of each of the PIFAs is opposite to each other, resulting in a good isolation performance. The proposed MIMO antenna has an isolation of ∼17 dB at LTE band 13, and the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of the two antennas is always lower than 0.4 over all of LTE band 13. To evaluate the performance of the proposed antenna, key performance parameters such as the total efficiency, ECC, mean effective gain (MEG), MEG ratio, and actual diversity gain are analyzed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26197
Multiband MIMO antenna using orthogonally polarized dipole elements for mobile communications
Authors: Han Minseok , Choi Jaehoon
Published: June 2011

A multiband multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna using polarization diversity for next generation mobile communication is proposed.The MIMO antenna consists of two dual‐band (0.75 GHz/2.5 GHz) dipole antennas with a separation distance of 0.8 mm. One dipole is etched on the top of a two‐layered dielectric substrate with a dimension of 80 × 80 mm2 and the other is printed on the bottom side of the same substrate. They are located orthogonal to one another. Even though the two stacked dipoles are separated by only 0.8 mm, the port‐to‐port isolation is maintained at greater than 20 dB, and the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of the two antennas is always lower than 0.2 over the entire frequency band. To evaluate the performance of the proposed antenna, key performance parameters such as the total efficiency, ECC, mean effective gain (MEG), MEG ratio, and actual diversity gain are analyzed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26198
Wide stopband compact microstrip lowpass filter using circular ring resonator and split ring resonators
Authors: Jahromi Mahdi Naghshvarian
Published: June 2011

In this contribution, a microstrip low‐pass filter with a wide stop‐band using split ring resonators and a circular ring resonator is introduced. The passband ripple of proposed filter was measured 0.6 dB and minimum insertion loss of passband is about 0.75 dB at 0.5 GHz frequency. Moreover, the 1.0 dB cut off frequency of proposed filter is 1.45 GHz in measurement. Designing this type of low‐pass filter requires a high impedance transmission‐line. However, the microstrip line width cannot be taken less than 0.2 mm in practical implementation. This causes to a small mismatch in passband. Furthermore, these results show wide stop‐band up to 9.0 GHz with more than 30 dB rejection. The dimensions of proposed compact filter are about 12.5×30 mm2 (excluding extra substrate width). The proposed filter is a microstrip filter and can compete with defected ground structure (DGS) or defected microstrip structures lowpass filters in miniaturizing and wide stopband. However, the DGS or DGS filters have some problems in manufacturing applications such as radiation fields from defected structures and requiring a specific box. In addition, a distributed equivalent circuit model based on geometrical filer parameters is introduced, and good agreement can be seen between EM simulation and distributed equivalent circuit model up to 6.0 GHz frequency. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26203
Equal‐length coupled‐serial‐shunted lines band‐pass filters with suppression of the second harmonic
Authors: Tsai Lin‐Chuan , Fang Han‐Sheng
Published: June 2011

In this letter, a new configuration consisting of parallel coupled lines and nonuniform transmission lines is used to study band‐pass filters. Using a combination of the wavy‐edge coupled‐lines and ring resonators of the harmonic pass‐band of the parallel‐coupled line filter is rejected more effectively. A synthesis method is presented for Chebyshev Type II band‐pass filters in the microwave frequency range. To validate the proposed methodology, measured, and simulation, Chebyshev Type II band‐pass filters were implemented to validate this new configuration correct by measuring. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26218
Optical leaky integrator with inverted and noninverted accumulation
Authors: Costanzo‐Caso Pablo A. , Siahmakoun Azad , Granieri Sergio
Published: June 2011

This paper describes a novel optical leaky integrator for an all‐optical Σ−Δ modulator. The device is designed and built in a non‐interferometric structure, which consists of a nonlinear fiber loop and a wavelength converter. The system is characterized for square input signals in MHz range. The integration time‐constant of the integrator can be easily adjusted over the full interval of the input period by modifying the semiconductor optical amplifier driving current. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations and are used to obtain Σ−Δ modulator design parameters. The operating frequency can be increased without difficulty up to GHz range simply by reducing the loop length. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26222
An XFEM method for modeling geometrically elaborate crack propagation in brittle materials
Authors: Richardson Casey L. , Hegemann Jan , Sifakis Eftychios , Hellrung Jeffrey , Teran Joseph M.
Published: June 2011

We present a method for simulating quasistatic crack propagation in 2‐D which combines the extended finite element method (XFEM) with a general algorithm for cutting triangulated domains, and introduce a simple yet general and flexible quadrature rule based on the same geometric algorithm. The combination of these methods gives several advantages. First, the cutting algorithm provides a flexible and systematic way of determining material connectivity, which is required by the XFEM enrichment functions. Also, our integration scheme is straightforward to implement and accurate, without requiring a triangulation that incorporates the new crack edges or the addition of new degrees of freedom to the system. The use of this cutting algorithm and integration rule allows for geometrically complicated domains and complex crack patterns. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.