bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DESCRIPTIONS OF NORTH AMERICAN HYMENOPTERA, No 3
Authors: Cresson E. T.
Published: February 2010

This Braconid genus belongs to Wesmael's Polymorphes, and the species described below to Haliday's subgenus Meteorus, which is distinguished from the other genera or subgenera with Petiolated abdomen, by the anterior wing having three contiguous cubital cells.

1. Perilitus Niveitarsis. N. sp.––♂ ♀.––Ferruginous, shining; cheeks, sides of thorax and apex of abdomen thinly clothed with a short, whitish, somewhat pruinose pubescence; face and mouth pale ferruginous; palpi whitish; occiput and space enclosed by ocelli, blackish; antennae entirely dark fuscous; prothorax and sutures of mesothorax blackish; metathorax rounded, reticulated and with a trarsverse arcuate carina before the middle; tegulae Pale yellow; wings hyaline, iridescent.
Molecular cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of a novel sema-2a homologue inPolyrhachis vicina(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Luo Jing , Xi Geng-Si , Lü Shu-Min , Li Ke , Li Qing
Published: February 2010

The semaphorin gene family plays important roles in axonal guidance in vertebrates and invertebrates. Semaphorin 2a, a member of the semaphorin family, belongs to class 2, which is found only in invertebrates. In our study, semaphorin 2a was cloned from the antPolyrhachis vicinaRoger. The full length ofP. vicinasemaphorin 2a (Pv-sema-2a) is 2763 base pairs (bp) and it contains a 5′-untranslated region (UTR) 92 bp long and a 3′-UTR 521 bp long. The open reading frame of Pv-sema-2a encodes a 716-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 81.1 kilodaltons. Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription – polymerase chain reaction indicated that Pv-sema-2a mRNA is differentially expressed duringP. vicinadevelopment, in the whole bodies as well as the heads of different castes. The high mRNA levels in embryos and pupae suggest that Pv-sema-2a plays an important role in ant development.
Nitric Oxide Is Involved in Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin–Activated Jagged1 and Notch1 Signaling
Authors: Kapoor Nisha , Narayana Yeddula , Patil Shripad A. , Balaji Kithiganahalli N.
Published: February 2010

Pathogenic mycobacteria have evolved unique strategies to survive within the hostile environment of macrophages. Modulation of key signaling cascades by NO, generated by the host during infection, assumes critical importance in overall cell-fate decisions. We show that NO is a critical factor in Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin–mediated Notch1 activation, as the generation of activated Notch1 or expression of Notch1 target genes matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) or Hes1 was abrogated in macrophages derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) knockout (iNOS−/−), but not from wild-type, mice. Interestingly, expression of the Notch1 ligand Jagged1 was compromised in M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin–stimulated iNOS−/− macrophages, and loss of Jagged1 expression or Notch1 signaling could be rescued by NO donors. Signaling perturbations or genetic approaches implicated that robust expression of MMP-9 or Hes1 required synergy and cross talk between TLR2 and canonical Notch1-PI3K cascade. Further, CSL/RBP-Jk contributed to TLR2-mediated expression of MMP-9 or Hes1. Correlative evidence shows that, in a murine model for CNS tuberculosis, this mechanism operates in vivo only in brains derived from WT but not from iNOS−/− mice. Importantly, we demonstrate the activation of Notch1 signaling in vivo in granulomatous lesions in the brains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected human patients with tuberculous meningitis. Current investigation identifies NO as a pathological link that modulates direct cooperation of TLR2 with Notch1-PI3K signaling or Jagged1 to regulate specific components of TLR2 responses. These findings provide new insights into mechanisms by which Notch1, TLR2, and NO signals are integrated in a cross talk that modulates a defined set of effector functions in macrophages.
Factors Influencing Satisfaction and Efficacy of Services at a Free-Standing Psychiatric Occupational Therapy Clinic
Authors: Haertl Kristine , Behrens Kari , Houtujec Jill , Rue Ashley , Ten Haken Rachel
Published: February 2010

As the number of therapists in mental health settings continues to decline, research is needed to explore the scope, satisfaction, and efficacy of services. In this study, we used Patton’s (1997) Utilization-Focused Program Evaluation to explore scope of services, therapist and client satisfaction, and perceived efficacy of services in a free-standing community-based mental health occupational therapy clinic. Surveys were administered to 36 clients and 9 therapists and followed up by qualitative interviews with 6 therapists. We identified characteristics unique to a free-standing psychiatric occupational therapy clinic, along with factors contributing to satisfaction and perceived efficacy of services. The importance of a supportive therapeutic environment and emphasis on the therapist–client relationship were cited as key factors influencing both satisfaction and effectiveness of service. Results are presented and compared with the existing literature.
Factor Structure of Four Visual–Motor Instruments Commonly Used to Evaluate School-Age Children
Authors: Brown Ted , Unsworth Carolyn , Lyons Carissa
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE. Having access to high-quality, rigorously developed, valid visual–motor integration assessment tools is the first step in the process of providing effective clinical services to children presenting with visual–motor integration problems. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of four visual–motor integration instruments through factor analysis.

METHOD. The participants included 400 children ages 5 to 12, recruited from six schools in the Melbourne metropolitan area, Victoria, Australia. Children completed the Developmental Test of Visual–Motor Integration (VMI), Test of Visual–Motor Integration (TVMI), Test of Visual–Motor Skills–Revised (TVMS–R), and Slosson Visual–Motor Performance Test (SVMPT). The factor analysis was completed using SPSS.

RESULTS. Results indicated that the VMI displayed six factors; TVMI, three factors; TVMS–R, four factors; and SVMPT, three factors.

CONCLUSION. The VMI, TVMI, TVMS–R, and SVMPT exhibited multidimensionality, and it is recommended that the instruments be revised to enhance their construct validity and unidimensionality.
Power Mobility for a Nursing Home Resident With Dementia
Authors: Wang Rosalie H. , Holliday Pamela J. , Fernie Geoff R.
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE. This case study describes an occupational therapy intervention to increase the self-mobility and social participation of a nursing home resident with dementia using a power wheelchair equipped with a collision-prevention system.

METHOD. We used an exploratory case study design. Data sources included the medical record, standardized assessments, interviews, observations of daily activities, and a driving log.

RESULTS. During driving sessions, changes in affect such as smiling and attempts to socialize were noted. The resident required ongoing prompting to operate the modified power wheelchair.

CONCLUSION. The resident was unable to achieve self-mobility with an intervention involving a modified power wheelchair. However, this study demonstrates that even supervised mobility can have a positive impact on affect and social participation. Observations from this study are being applied to the design and testing of the next generation of power wheelchairs intended for use by nursing home residents with dementia.
Seniors’ Perceptions of Vehicle Safety Risks and Needs
Authors: Shaw Lynn , Miller Polgar Jan , Vrkljan Brenda , Jacobson Jill
Published: February 2010

The investigation of vehicle safety needs for older drivers and passengers is integral for their safe transportation. A program of research on safe transportation for seniors was launched through AUTO21, a Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence. This national research network focuses on a wide range of automotive issues, from materials and design to safety and societal issues. An inductive qualitative inquiry of seniors’ driving experiences, safety feature use, and strategies to prevent injury and manage risks was a first step in this program. We conducted interviews and focus groups with 58 seniors without disabilities and 9 seniors with disabilities. We identified a lack of congruity between the vehicle and safety feature design and seniors’ needs. Seniors described strategies to manage their safety and that of others. Specific aspects of vehicle design, safety features, and action strategies that support safer use and operation of a vehicle by seniors are outlined.
Traffic Violations Versus Driving Errors of Older Adults: Informing Clinical Practice
Authors: Classen Sherrilene , Shechtman Orit , Awadzi Kezia D. , Joo Yongsung , Lanford Desiree N.
Published: February 2010

Certain driving errors are predictive of crashes, but whether the type of errors evaluated during on-road assessment is similar to traffic violations that are associated with crashes is unknown. Using the crash data of 5,345 older drivers and expert reviewers, we constructed a violation-to-error classification based on rater agreement. We examined the effects of predictor variables on crash-related injuries by risk probability using logistic regression. Drivers’ mean age was 76.08 (standard deviation = 7.10); 45.7% were women. Of drivers, 44.6% sustained crash-related injuries, and female drivers had a higher injury probability (44%) than male drivers (29%). Lane maintenance, yielding, and gap acceptance errors predicted crash-related injuries with almost 50% probability; speed regulation (34%), vehicle positioning (25%), and adjustment-to-stimuli (21%) errors predicted crash-related injuries to a lesser degree. We suggest injury prevention strategies for clinicians and researchers to consider for older drivers, especially older women.
Supporting Safe Driving With Arthritis: Developing a Driving Toolkit for Clinical Practice and Consumer Use
Authors: Vrkljan Brenda H. , Cranney Ann , Worswick Julia , O’Donnell Siobhan , Li Linda C. , Gélinas Isabelle , Byszewski Anna , Man-Son-Hing Malcolm , Marshall Shawn
Published: February 2010

We conducted a series of focus groups to explore the information needs of clinicians and consumers related to arthritis and driving. An open coding analysis identified common themes across both consumer and clinician-based focus groups that underscored the importance of addressing driving-related concerns and the challenges associated with assessing safety. The results revealed that although driving is critical for maintaining independence and community mobility, drivers with arthritis experience several problems that can affect safe operation of a motor vehicle. Findings from this study are part of a broader research initiative that will inform the development of the Arthritis and Driving toolkit. This toolkit outlines strategies to support safe mobility for people with arthritis and will be an important resource in the coming years given the aging population.
Australian Occupational Therapy Driver Assessors’ Opinions on Improving On-Road Driver Assessment Procedures
Authors: Di Stefano Marilyn , Macdonald Wendy
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE. We collected practitioner opinions to improve the validity and reliability of the on-road driver assessment procedures used in Australia.

METHOD. We used focus groups to document the views of experienced occupational therapy driver assessors using a purposive sampling method.

RESULTS. Eight focus groups were conducted with 55 clinicians practicing in urban and rural regions. There was strong support for greater standardization of procedures for all tests. For drivers seeking unrestricted (open) licenses, use of standard routes with predetermined assessment points was important where practicable. Where use of a nonstandard route for this purpose was unavoidable, it was important to specify a minimum set of requirements related to route characteristics and assessment items.

CONCLUSION. Australian occupational therapy driver assessors support greater standardization of test routes and procedures to improve reliability and validity. However, the extent to which standardization can be achieved is limited by variable road traffic environments where assessments are conducted.
The Current Status of Classroom Inclusion Activities of Secondary Agriculture Teachers
Authors: Hoerst Cathryn M. , Whittington M. Susie
Published: February 2010

The current status of classroom inclusion activities among agriculture teachers in comprehensive secondary agricultural education programs in Ohio is reported. The researchers describe secondary agriculture teachers' needs related to teaching learners with special needs in inclusion classes, given legislative mandates. Specifically, the researchers describe the teaching techniques used, the comfort level with various techniques used, and the services/resources provided to teachers when teaching learners with special needs in inclusion classes. Secondary agriculture teachers generally felt comfortable teaching in inclusion classes yet reported the need to obtain more knowledge in order to clarify how an inclusion classroom should function. Various techniques for teaching learners with special needs were deemed successful, unsuccessful, comfortable to use, and uncomfortable to use by the teachers studied. The researchers concluded that restructuring preservice agriculture teacher programs to include more instruction on how to teach learners with special needs was necessary. Teachers of learners with special needs in inclusion classrooms also need pertinent services, resources, and inservice educational opportunities to stay current in teaching practices and policies for teaching in inclusion classes.
Relationships Between Special Education Confidence, Knowledge, and Selected Demographics for Agricultural Education Student Teachers
Authors: Kessell John , Wingenbach Gary J. , Lawver David
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between special education confidence, knowledge, and selected demographics of agricultural education student teachers in the American Association of Agricultural Education southern region. A significant, low, positive association existed between total confidence and knowledge of providing a least restrictive environment. Statistically significant relationships occurred between student teachers' confidence scores and selected demographics. If a student teacher felt prepared to teach special needs students in agricultural classrooms and laboratories and had spent time with a special needs person outside an academic setting, they were statistically more confident in teaching special needs students. A statistically significant relationship occurred between student teachers' special education knowledge scores and selected demographics. Gender, age, and spending time with a special needs person outside an academic setting were associated with knowledge scores. As age and spending time with a special needs person increased, knowledge of disabilities and special education laws increased. Female student teachers had more knowledge about disabilities and special education laws than males. Additional research on the dynamic effects of time spent with special needs populations, in and outside academia, and feelings of preparedness for teaching special needs students is needed.
Methods to Measure Gastric Mucosal Lesions in the Rat
Authors: Morini Giuseppina , Grandi Daniela
Published: February 2010

The maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity is ensured by a dynamic balance between protective and noxious factors. The gastric mucosa has multiple protective mechanisms that allow the mucosa to withstand frequent exposure to potentially damaging agents such as acid and peptic secretions, bacterial products, ingested food, alcoholic beverages, and certain drugs. The imbalance between defensive and aggressive factors is at the basis of the formation of erosions/lesions or ulcerations of the gastric mucosa. The difference between an erosion/lesion and ulceration is that the former is confined to the mucosa, while an ulceration penetrates to the muscularis mucosae. This unit presents two models of acute mucosal lesions induced in the rat by gastrotoxic agents acting through different mechanisms of action. The protocols explain how to measure gastric mucosal lesions by microscopic examination of the stomach by light microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 43:21.2.1‐21.2.15. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Predictive modeling of pharmaceutical processes with missing and noisy data
Authors: Boukouvala Fani , Muzzio Fernando J. , Ierapetritou Marianthi G.
Published: February 2010

Lack of knowledge of the first principles, that describe the behavior of processed particulate mixtures, has created significant attention to data‐driven models for characterizing the performance of pharmaceutical processes—which are often treated as black—box operations. Uncertainty contained in the experimental data sets, however, can decrease the quality of the produced predictive models. In this work, the effect of missing and noisy data on the predictive capability of surrogate modeling methodologies such as Kriging and Response Surface Method (RSM) is evaluated. The key areas that affect the final error of prediction and the computational efficiency of the algorithm were found to be: (a) the method used to assign initial estimate values to the missing elements and (b) the iterative procedure used to further improve these initial estimates. The proposed approach includes the combination of the most appropriate initialization technique and the Expectation Maximization Principal Component Analysis algorithm to impute missing elements and minimize noise. Comparative analysis of the use of different initial imputation techniques such as mean, matching procedure, and a Kriging‐based approach proves that the two former used approaches give more accurate, “warm‐start” estimates of the missing data points that can significantly reduce computational time requirements. Experimental data from two case studies of different unit operations of the pharmaceutical powder tablet production process (feeding and mixing) are used as examples to illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology. Results show that by introducing an extra imputation step, the pseudo complete data sets created, produce very accurate predictive responses, whereas discarding incomplete observations leads to loss of valuable information and distortion of the predictive response. Results are also given for different percentages of missing data and different missing patterns. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Plant‐insect interactions: what can we learn from plant lectins?
Authors: Michiels Katrien , Van Damme Els JM , Smagghe Guy
Published: February 2010

Many plant lectins have high anti‐insect potential. Although the effects of most lectins are only moderately influencing development or population growth of the insect, some lectins have strong insecticidal properties. In addition, some studies report a deterrent activity towards feeding and oviposition behavior. Transmission of plant lectins to the next trophic level has been investigated for several tritrophic interactions. Effects of lectins with different sugar specificities can vary substantially with the insect species under investigation and with the experimental setup. Lectin binding in the insect is an essential step in exerting a toxic effect. Attempts have been made to study the interactions of lectins in several insect tissues and to identify lectin‐binding receptors. Ingested lectins generally bind to parts of the insect gut. Furthermore, some lectins such as theGalanthus nivalusagglutinin (GNA) cross the gut epithelium into the hemolymph and other tissues. Recently, several candidate lectin‐binding receptors have been isolated from midgut extracts. To date little is known about the exact mechanism for insecticidal activity of plant lectins. However, insect glycobiology is an emerging research field and the recent technological advances in the analysis of lectin carbohydrate specificities and insect glycobiology will certainly lead to new insights in the interactions between plant lectins and insects, and to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systems metabolic engineering: Genome‐scale models and beyond
Authors: Blazeck John , Alper Hal
Published: February 2010

The advent of high throughput genome‐scale bioinformatics has led to an exponential increase in available cellular system data. Systems metabolic engineering attempts to use data‐driven approaches – based on the data collected with high throughput technologies – to identify gene targets and optimize phenotypical properties on a systems level. Current systems metabolic engineering tools are limited for predicting and defining complex phenotypes such as chemical tolerances and other global, multigenic traits. The most pragmatic systems‐based tool for metabolic engineering to arise is the in silico genome‐scale metabolic reconstruction. This tool has seen wide adoption for modeling cell growth and predicting beneficial gene knockouts, and we examine here how this approach can be expanded for novel organisms. This review will highlight advances of the systems metabolic engineering approach with a focus on de novo development and use of genome‐scale metabolic reconstructions for metabolic engineering applications. We will then discuss the challenges and prospects for this emerging field to enable model‐based metabolic engineering. Specifically, we argue that current state‐of‐the‐art systems metabolic engineering techniques represent a viable first step for improving product yield that still must be followed by combinatorial techniques or random strain mutagenesis to achieve optimal cellular systems.
Infektionsgefahr aus dem Süden. Globale Erwärmung
Authors: Kimmig Peter , Pluta Silvia , Naucke Torsten
Published: February 2010

Zu den möglichen negativen Auswirkungen der globalen Klimaerwärmung gehört auch der Import von Infektionskrankheiten aus dem Mittelmeerraum. Die größte Gefahr geht dabei von vektorassoziierten Krankheiten aus. Hierzu zählen beispielsweise das durch Zecken übertragene Mittelmeerfleckfieber sowie die viszerale Leishmaniose und das Pappataci‐Fieber, die beide durch Sandmücken übertragen werden. Da Hunde für die beiden erstgenannten Erkrankungen das wichtigste tierische Reservoir darstellen, werden die Erreger mit unkontrollierten Hundeimporten ständig nach Deutschland gebracht. Auf dem gleichen Weg werden auch die “Braunen Hundezecken”, die Vektoren des Mittelmeerfleckfiebers, eingeschleppt, deren Ansiedlung in nächster Zukunft zu befürchten ist. Sandmücken dagegen sind in den wärmsten Gebieten Deutschlands, der Oberrheinischen Tiefebene, bereits endemisch. Autochthone Fälle von Leishmaniose und Pappataci‐Fieber deuten darauf hin, dass eine Etablierung dieser Erkrankungen in Deutschland bereits begonnen hat.
Personalisierte Medizin – Vision oder Fiktion? Beispiel: Altersdiabetes
Authors: Müller Günter
Published: February 2010

Typische Zivilisationskrankheiten wie Altersdiabetes sind im Gegensatz zu klassischen monogenen Erbkrankheiten wie Chorea Huntington weit verbreitet, komplex in den zugrundeliegenden pathogenetischen Mechanismen und heterogen im Phänotyp. Sie werden durch die Kombination verschiedener Prädispositionsgene oder protektiver Gene in relevanten Geweben verursacht und außerdem von der Umwelt beeinflusst. Die einzelnen in den Prädispositionsgenen vorliegenden Polymorphismen zeichnen sich im Gegensatz zu den Mutationen in den Krankheitsgenen monogener Krankheiten durch relativ geringe, für die Pathogenese allein nicht ausreichende Funktionsveränderungen, relativ große Häufigkeit, sehr hohen Aufwand für ihre Identifizierung und sehr geringe diagnostische Vorhersagekraft aus. Die zuverlässige und frühzeitige Diagnose einer Zivilisationskrankheit setzt deshalb jeweils die Bestimmung (möglichst) der Gesamtheit der individuell vorliegenden Polymorphismen der jeweiligen Prädispositionsgene zusammen mit ihren Genprodukten und den davon abhängigen Metaboliten voraus.
Berufseinstieg für Bio‐Bachelor
Authors: Klöck Gerd
Published: February 2010

Der Bachelor als erster berufsqualifizierender Abschluss wird in den Life Sciences kritisch betrachtet. Die Wirtschaft steht dagegen dem Biologen (B.Sc.) weit pragmatischer gegenüber, als es in der öffentlichen Debatte den Anschein hat. Im Folgenden soll auf den Erfahrungen mit dem erfolgreichen Berufseinstieg von Bachelorabsolventen ein mögliches Berufsbild für den Biologen (B.Sc.) skizziert werden.
Experimentelle und theoretische Biologie: getrennte Welten?
Authors: Haubold Bernhard , Pfaffelhuber Peter
Published: February 2010

Die Genomforschung führt zu Fragestellungen, die nur in Zusammenarbeit von Evolutionsbiologen mit Mathematikern und Informatikern gelöst werden können. Ein Workshop zur empirischen und theoretischen Populationsgenetik bringt Wissenschaftler ganz unterschiedlicher Fachrichtungen miteinander ins Gespräch.
Erfolgreicher Restriktionsverdau
Authors: Schrödel Andrea
Published: February 2010

Restriktionsenzyme gelten als wichtige Werkzeuge der Molekularbiologie (siehe auch BIUZ Heft 4/2008). Nicht sei einfacher, als einen Restriktionsverdau durchzuführen, heißt es oft. Um optimale Ergebnisse zu erzielen, sollten dennoch einige Regeln beachtet werden.
Neu: Das Moletomics™‐Modell
Authors: Quadbeck‐Seeger H.‐J.
Published: February 2010

Die räumliche Struktur von Molekülen war und ist eine große Herausforderung für die Forschung. Entsprechend hilfreich sind Modelle von wichtigen Molekülen. In vorigen Veröffentlichungen wurden zwei Modellkonzeptionen für die DNA‐Helix vorgestellt. Ein Wettbewerb regte an, weitere einfache und kostengünstige Möglichkeiten zu entwickeln. Nun hat der Autor selbst noch eine Variante gefunden. Bei den Moletomics – der Name wurde aus den Worten molecular and atomic structures abgeleitet – spielt Drahtgitter eine entscheidende Rolle.
Component Analysis and Free Radical‐Scavenging Potential of Panax notoginseng and Carthamus tinctorius Extracts
Authors: Han Shu‐Yan , Li Hai‐Xia , Bai Chang‐Cai , Wang Li , Tu Peng‐Fei
Published: February 2010

Panax notoginseng and Carthamus tinctorius are known as traditional medicinal plants, and they also have edible values. To better understand their pharmacological mechanism, the present study assessed the in vitro antioxidant activities of extracts of P. notoginseng (EPN) and C. tinctorius (ECT). In addition, the main components of EPN and ECT were determined by HPLC. The results show that EPN mainly contained saponins, which were effective in scavenging .OH and O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$, while showing a low activity in the DPPH. assay. Flavonoids were the main components of ECT and were active in scavenging all three radicals in a dose‐dependent manner. In brief, the antioxidant properties of EPN and ECT are distinct and might be complementary, their combined use tending to be more effective in scavenging .OH (P<0.05 vs. EPN or ECT).
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils from Several Hypericum Taxa (Guttiferae) Growing in Central Italy (Appennino Umbro‐Marchigiano)
Authors: Maggi Filippo , Cecchini Cinzia , Cresci Alberto , Coman Maria M. , Tirillini Bruno , Sagratini Gianni , Papa Fabrizio , Vittori Sauro
Published: February 2010

The chemical composition of the essential oils of nine taxa from seven sections of Hypericum L. (Guttiferae; H. perforatum subsp. perforatum, H. perforatum subsp. veronense, H. calycinum, H. montanum, H. richeri subsp. richeri, H. hyssopifolium, H. hirsutum, H. hircinum subsp. majus, and H. tetrapterum) occurring in central Italy (Appennino Umbro‐Marchigiano) was analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of 186 compounds were identified in the different species and subspecies, accounting for 86.9–92.8% of the total oils. The major fraction of the oil was always represented by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (30.3–77.2%), while quantitative differences occurred between the other classes of volatiles depending on the taxa considered. Chemical composition of the nine Hypericum entities with respect to the taxonomical classification was discussed. Essential oils obtained from six taxa, i.e., H. perforatum subsp. perforatum, H. perforatum subsp. veronense, H. calycinum, H. richeri subsp. richeri, H. hirsutum and H. tetrapterum, were also tested for their antimicrobial properties against five different microbial strains by the broth‐microdilution method, and they were found to have significant activity (expressed as MIC) on B. subtilis, moderate activity on C. albicans and S. aureus, and weak activity on E. coli and E. faecalis, the most active being those from H. hirsutum, H. richeri subsp. richeri, and H. tetrapterum.
Easy Production of a Glycolipid Analogue Using Animal Cells in Culture
Authors: Kasuya Maria Carmelita Z. , Hatanaka Kenichi
Published: February 2010

A glycolipid analogue, GM4‐type ganglioside, was obtained by a combination of chemical synthesis and biosynthetic processes in animal cells with dodecyl β‐D‐galactoside (Gal C12) as primer. The primer was conveniently prepared in two steps: glycosylation, followed by deacetylation. The primer was introduced to mouse melanoma B16 cells to serve as substrate for cellular, enzyme‐catalyzed glycosylation. Incubation of the cells in the presence of the primer resulted in sialylation of the galactose residue to afford a GM4 analogue that was released from the cells to the culture medium. The strategy of preparation of the GM4 analogue described in this study is a viable alternative to the existing methods. The saccharide‐primer method is fast, convenient, not requiring expensive enzymes and glycosyl donors, and highly stereoselective.
Water—More Than Just a Green Solvent: A Stereoselective One‐Pot Access to All‐Chiral Tetrahydronaphthalenes in Aqueous Media
Authors: Tan Bin , Zhu Di , Zhang Lihong , Chua Pei Juan , Zeng Xiaofei , Zhong Guofu
Published: February 2010

A facile and highly stereoselective construction of heavily functionalized chiral tetrahydronaphthalene skeletons fused with an oxazolidine moiety has been developed. The process involves an organocatalytic tandem Michael/nitrone formation/intramolecular [3+2] nitrone–olefin cycloaddition in aqueous media. Using rationally designed substrates, the reaction conditions have been optimized and the one‐pot process has been applied to a series of nitroolefin acrylates and aldehydes. The N‐hydroxyphenylamine component used in the second step has also been varied. The stereochemistry of one product has been verified by an X‐ray crystal structure determination. The water used in the strategy not only constitutes an environmentally benign solvent, but also helps to improve the reactivity and stereoselectivity.
Energetic Salts Based on Monoanions of N,N‐Bis(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)amine and 5,5′‐Bis(tetrazole)
Authors: Guo Yong , Tao Guo‐Hong , Zeng Zhuo , Gao Haixiang , Parrish Damon A. , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: February 2010

High‐density energetic salts that contain nitrogen‐rich cations and the 5‐(tetrazol‐5‐ylamino)tetrazolate (HBTA−) or the 5‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)tetrazolate (HBT−) anion were readily synthesized by the metathesis reactions of sulfate salts with barium compounds, such as bis[5‐(tetrazol‐5‐ylamino)tetrazolate] (Ba(HBTA)2), barium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate) (BaBTA), or barium 5,5′‐bis(tetrazolate) (BaBT) in aqueous solution. All salts were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, multinuclear (1H, 13C, 15N) NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, density, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and impact sensitivity. Ba(HBTA)2⋅4 H2O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$, as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, with a density of 2.177 g cm−3. The densities of the other organic energetic salts range between 1.55 and 1.75 g cm−3 as measured by a gas pycnometer. The detonation pressure (P) values calculated for these salts range from 19.4 to 33.6 GPa, and the detonation velocities (νD) range from 7677 to 9487 m s−1, which make them competitive energetic materials. Solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy was used as an effective technique to determine the structure of the products that were obtained from the metathesis reactions of biguanidinium sulfate with barium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate) (BaBTA). Thus, the structure was determined as an HBTA salt by the comparison of its solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy with those of ammonium 5‐(tetrazol‐5‐ylamino)tetrazolate (AHBTA) and diammonium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate) (A2BTA).
ChemInform Abstract: FPLAPW Study of the Structural, Electronic, and Optical Properties of Ga2O3: Monoclinic and Hexagonal Phases.
Authors: Litimein F. , Rached D. , Khenata R. , Baltache H.
Published: February 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Pd(II)‐Catalyzed Hydroxylation of Arenes with 1 atm of O2 or Air.
Authors: Zhang Yang‐Hui , Yu Jin‐Quan
Published: February 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Rhodium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes as Effective Catalysts for [2 + 2 + 2]‐Cycloaddition Reactions.
Authors: Gonzalez Ivan , Pla‐Quintana Anna , Roglans Anna
Published: February 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Epoxyphomalin A (I) and B (II), Prenylated Polyketides with Potent Cytotoxicity from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Phoma sp.
Authors: Mohamed Ietidal E. , Gross Harald , Pontius Alexander , Kehraus Stefan , Krick Anja , Kelter Gerhard , Maier Armin , Fiebig Heinz‐Herbert , Koenig Gabriele M.
Published: February 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Is ionizing radiation responsible for the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer?
Authors: Nikiforov Yuri E.
Published: February 2010

The dose of exposure to ionizing radiation appears to correlate with increased risk of thyroid microcarcinoma. Can ionizing radiation be a factor contributing to the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer around the world?
Azacitidine for the treatment of lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Musto Pellegrino , Maurillo Luca , Spagnoli Alessandra , Gozzini Antonella , Rivellini Flavia , Lunghi Monia , Villani Oreste , Aloe‐Spiriti Maria Antonietta , Venditti Adriano , Santini Valeria
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Azacitidine induces responses and prolongs overall survival compared with conventional care regimens in patients who have high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, limited data are available concerning the efficacy and safety of azacitidine in patients who have lower risk MDS.

METHODS:

The authors retrospectively evaluated 74 patients with International Prognostic Scoring System low‐risk or intermediate 1‐risk MDS, who received azacitidine on a national named patient program. At baseline, 84% of patients were transfusion‐dependent, 57% had received erythropoietin, and 51% were aged >70 years. Azacitidine was administered subcutaneously for 5 days (n = 29 patients), 7 days (n = 43 patients), or 10 days (n = 2 patients) every month at a dose of 75 mg/m2 daily (n = 45 patients) or at a fixed dose of 100 mg daily (n = 29 patients) and for a median of 7 cycles (range, 1‐30 cycles).

RESULTS:

According to the 2006 International Working Group criteria, overall response rate (ORR) was 45.9%, including complete responses (10.8%), partial responses (9.5%), hematologic improvements (20.3%), and bone marrow complete responses (5.4%). The ORR was 51.6% in 64 patients who completed ≥4 cycles of treatment. The median duration of response was 6 months (range, 1‐30 months). After a median follow‐up of 15 months, 71% of patients remained alive. A survival benefit was observed in responders versus nonresponders (94% vs 54% of patients projected to be alive at 2.5 years, respectively; P < .0014). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were myelosuppression (21.6%) and infection (6.8%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that azacitidine may be a feasible and effective treatment for patients with lower risk MDS. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Number of lymph nodes removed in sentinel lymph node‐negative breast cancer patients is significantly related to patient age and tumor size
Authors: Port Elisa Rush , Patil Sujata , Stempel Michelle , Morrow Monica , Cody Hiram S.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been well‐established for axillary lymph node staging for patients with breast cancer. For lymph node‐negative patients, planned “backup” axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is rarely indicated. Among patients with negative SLNs, the authors observed variation by tumor size and patient age in the total number of lymph nodes removed (SLNs plus non‐SLNs). They hypothesized that this variation is an unrecognized source of bias for studies examining the morbidity of SLN biopsy.

METHODS:

Retrospective review of this institution's SLN database identified 4103 SLN biopsy procedures between 1997 and 2004 in which SLN biopsy was performed for prophylactic mastectomy, ductal carcinoma in situ, or T1 to T2 invasive cancers, and the SLNs were benign.

RESULTS:

The mean number of SLNs, non‐SLNs, and total lymph nodes for all tumor sizes was 2.8, 1.5, and 4.3, respectively, and increased with tumor size (more lymph nodes were removed for T2 than for T1 tumors: 6.3 vs 4.3; P < .0001). This trend remained significant even in the later years of these investigators' experience with SLN biopsy, and was observed for 5 of 9 (56%) surgeons. More total lymph nodes were also removed in patients aged ≤50 years than in those aged >50 years (4.6 lymph nodes vs 4.2 lymph nodes; P = .006). In approximately 8% of patients (322 of 4103 patients), ≥10 lymph nodes were removed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The morbidity of SLN biopsy is less than that of ALND, but for pN0 patients, the total number of lymph nodes removed increased with tumor size and younger patient age. This variation is a previously unrecognized source of bias for studies that examine the morbidity of SLN biopsy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Recognition of Naegleriae ameba surface protein epitopes by anti‐human CD45 antibodies
Authors: Ravine Terrence J. , Polski Jacek M. , Jenkins James
Published: February 2010

Phagocytosis is a highly conserved mechanism exhibited by both free‐living amebas and mammalian blood cells. Similarities demonstrated by either cell type during engulfment of the same bacterial species may imply analogous surface proteins involved in receptor‐mediated endocytosis. The increased availability of anti‐human leukocyte antibodies or clusters of differentiation (CD) markers used in conjunction with flow cytometric (FCM) and/or immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis provides investigators with a relatively easy method to screen different cell populations for comparable plasma membrane proteins. In this study, we incubated Naegleria and Acanthamoeba amebas with several directly conjugated anti‐human leukocyte monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for similarly recognized amebic epitopes. CD marker selection was based upon a recognized role of each mAb in phagocyte activation and/or uptake of bacteria. These included CD14, CD45, and CD206. In FCM, only one CD45 antibody demonstrated strong reactivity with both Naegleria fowleri and Naegleria gruberi that was not expressed in similarly tested Acanthamoeba species. Additional testing of N. gruberi by IHC demonstrated reactivity to a different CD45 antibody. Our results suggest a possible utility of using anti‐human leukocyte antibodies to screen amebic cells for similarly expressed protein epitopes. In doing so, several important items must be considered when selecting potential mAbs for testing to increase the probability of a positive result. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Mobile‐initiated network‐executed SIP‐based handover in IMS over heterogeneous accesses
Authors: Chiang Wei‐Kuo , Chang Wen‐Yen
Published: February 2010

The services of next generation networks are envisioned to be potentially capable of seamless mobility in spite of the heterogeneity in underlying access technologies. It is undoubted that to accomplish seamless services across heterogeneous networking environments gets harder in case of simultaneous mobility. In this article, we propose a mobile‐initiated network‐executed (MINE) session initial protocol (SIP)‐based handover mechanism to facilitate simultaneous mobility in IP multimedia subsystem over heterogeneous accesses. The novelty of the proposed approach is that no changes are required to the existing network infrastructure since handover decision is fully made by the mobile host (MH) and handover execution is performed by a new‐added application server called mobility server (MS). When the MH decides to initiate a handover and obtains a new IP address, it will send a SIP Publish message to trigger the MS to carry out the handover execution. With the network‐executed design of the MINE, the MS can perform third‐party registration for security re‐association and third‐party call control for session re‐establishment in parallel. Moreover, the Master–Slave Determination procedures derived from H.245 are used in the MS to handle fairly the racing conditions resulting from simultaneous mobility such that redundant message flows are eliminated. Mathematical analyses present that the MINE can shorten the handover latency and reduce power consumption, as observed from a comparison with the integrated solution of an optimized macro‐mobility mechanism and a receiver‐side simultaneous mobility approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid transport and signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Branicky Robyn , Desjardins David , Liu Ju‐Ling , Hekimi Siegfried
Published: February 2010

The strengths of the Caenorhabditis elegans model have been recently applied to the study of the pathways of lipid storage, transport, and signaling. As the lipid storage field has recently been reviewed, in this minireview we (1) discuss some recent studies revealing important physiological roles for lipases in mobilizing lipid reserves, (2) describe various pathways of lipid transport, with a particular focus on the roles of lipoproteins, (3) debate the utility of using C. elegans as a model for human dyslipidemias that impinge on atherosclerosis, and (4) describe several systems where lipids affect signaling, highlighting the particular properties of lipids as information‐carrying molecules. We conclude that the study of lipid biology in C. elegans exemplifies the advantages afforded by a whole‐animal model system where interactions between tissues and organs, and functions such as nutrient absorption, distribution, and storage, as well as reproduction can all be studied simultaneously. Developmental Dynamics 239:1365–1377, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BMP regulation of myogenesis in zebrafish
Authors: Patterson Sara E. , Bird Nathan C. , Devoto Stephen H.
Published: February 2010

In amniotes, BMP signaling from lateral plate and dorsal neural tube inhibits differentiation of muscle precursors in the dermomyotome. Here, we show that BMPs are expressed adjacent to the dermomyotome during and after segmentation in zebrafish. In addition, downstream BMP pathway members are expressed within the somite during dermomyotome development. We also show that zebrafish dermomyotome is responsive to BMP throughout its development. Ectopic overexpression of Bmp2b increases expression of the muscle precursor marker pax3, and changes the time course of myoD expression. At later stages, overexpression increases the number of Pax7+ myogenic precursors, and delays muscle differentiation, as indicated by decreased numbers of MEF2+ nuclei, decreased number of multi‐nucleated muscle fibers, and an increased myotome angle. In addition, we show that while BMP overexpression is sufficient to delay myogenic differentiation, inhibition of BMP does not detectably affect this process, suggesting that other factors redundantly inhibit myogenic differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 239:806–817, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Half‐Sandwich Benzylidene Ruthenium Complexes Bearing Phosphanyl‐Pyridine Ligands: Reactivity towards Nucleophiles and Electrophiles
Authors: Macías‐Arce Ignacio , Puerta M. Carmen , Valerga Pedro
Published: February 2010

The chelating hemilabile phosphanyl‐pyridines PiPr2XC5H4N (X = NH, the previously described diisopropylphosphanyl‐pyrid‐2‐ylamine, 1a; X = S, the novel diisopropylphosphanylmercaptopyridine, 1b) have been prepared to be used as ligands in the synthesis of the new half‐sandwich chloro complexes [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2XC5H4N)Cl] (X = NH, 2a; S, 2b). These versatile starting compounds react with phenyldiazomethane to yield the novel carbene ruthenium complexes [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2XC5H4N)(=CHC6H5)][BAr′4] (Ar′ = 3,5‐C6H3(CF3)2; X = NH, 3a; S 3b); 3a has been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Compound 3a reacts as a Brønsted base with an excess amount of triflic acid to give [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2NHC5H4N)(η2‐CH2C6H5)][CF3SO3]2 (4a), the first example of a structurally characterized η2‐benzylruthenium complex. The benzylidene complex 3a can also be deprotonated by bases, KOtBu or KN(SiMe3)2, thereby yielding neutral complex [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2NC5H4N)(=CHC6H5)] (5a). The cationic complex [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2NHC5H4N)(PMe3)][BAr′4] (6a) has been prepared from 3a by straightforward and quick reaction with trimethylphosphane. Compound 3a also shows characteristic carbene reactivity against nucleophiles like NaBH4/CH3OH to afford alkyl compound [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2NHC5H4N)(η1‐CH2C6H5)] (7a). The reaction of carbene complex 3b with LiCH3 yields the neutral alkyl complex [Ru(η5‐C5Me5)(κ2‐P,N‐PiPr2SC5H4N)(η1‐CH2CH2C6H5)] (8b), which contains a β hydrogen atom.
An Efficient and General Method for the Stereodivergent Syntheses of Tadalafil‐Like Tetracyclic Compounds
Authors: Xiao Sen , Shi Xiao‐Xin , Ni Feng , Xing Jing , Yan Jing‐Jing , Liu Shi‐Ling
Published: February 2010

A clean and general DBU‐catalyzed epimerization at C‐12a position of the tadalafil‐like tetracyclic compounds has been fully studied. In addition, by using this clean epimerization as the key step, four stereomers of 6‐d1‐tadalafil were stereodivergently synthesized from both L‐ and D‐tryptophan methyl ester hydrochlorides and deuterated piperonal.