bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Combinatorial Solid‐Phase Natural Product Chemistry
Authors: Mentel Matthias , Breinbauer Rolf
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Solid‐Phase Chemistry for the Directed Synthesis of Biologically Active Polyamine Analogues, Derivatives, and Conjugates
Authors: Hahn Frank , Schepers Ute
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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‐Catalyzed C—C Bond Cleavage Reactions
Authors: Necas David , Kotora Martin
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Reaction Mechanisms. Part 1. Radical and Radical Ion Reactions
Authors: Tanko J. M.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Reaction Mechanisms. Part 3. Polar Reactions
Authors: O'Donoghue AnnMarie C. , Isanbor Chukwuemeka
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Reaction Mechanisms. Part 2. Pericyclic Reactions
Authors: Lee Jeehiun K. , Tantillo Dean J.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Biotransformations
Authors: Grogan Gideon
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Palladium‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation with the DPPBA Ligands
Authors: Trost Barry M. , Fandrick Daniel R.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Monophos Ligands: More than Asymmetric Hydrogenation
Authors: Ager David J. , de Vries Johannes G.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Nickel‐Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Dienes and Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Kimura Masanari , Tamaru Yoshinao
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Recent Advances in Alkene Hydroformylation
Authors: Breit Bernhard
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Catalytic Reductive Coupling of Alkenes and Alkynes to Carbonyl Compounds and Imines Mediated by Hydrogen
Authors: Iida Hiroki , Krische Michael J.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Catalytic Reductive Coupling of Carbonyl Compounds: The Pinacol Coupling Reaction and Beyond
Authors: Hirao Toshikazu
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Multicomponent Reactions as a Green Approach
Authors: Nunes da Silva Eufranio Jr.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Self‐Immolative Polymers
Authors: Wang Wenxin , Alexander Cameron
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Catalytic Reaction Energetics by Single Crystal Adsorption Calorimetry: Hydrocarbons on Pt(111)
Authors: Lytken Ole , Lew Wanda , Campbell Charles T.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Iron—Sulfur Cluster Biogenesis Systems and Their Crosstalk
Authors: Xu Xiang Ming , Moeller Simon G.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Tactile Devices to Sense Touch on a Par with a Human Finger
Authors: Maheshwari Vivek , Saraf Ravi
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: High‐Tech Applications of Self‐Assembling Supramolecular Nanostructured Gel‐Phase Materials: From Regenerative Medicine to Electronic Devices.
Authors: Hirst Andrew R. , Escuder Beatriu , Miravet Juan F. , Smith David K.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: Artificial Enzymes Made to Order: Combination of Computational Design and Directed Evolution
Authors: Ward Thomas R.
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: All‐Conjugate Block Copolymers
Authors: Scherf Ullrich , Gutacker Andrea , Koenen Nils
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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: The Wave Property of Heavy Molecules — Its Use in Mass Spectrometry.
Authors: Greulich Karl‐Otto
Published: November 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 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.
Chiral separation performance of micrometer‐sized monodispersed silica spheres with high protein loading
Authors: Zhai Zheng , Chen Yang , Wang Yu‐Jun , Luo Guang‐Sheng
Published: November 2008

Micrometer‐sized monodispersed silica spheres (∼360 μm) with high loading of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (∼450 mg/g) were prepared as an adsorbent for large‐scale chiral separation. The new adsorbent was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption‐desorption isotherms, the mercury intrusion method, infrared spectroscopic analysis, and elementary analysis. The extent of chiral separation was tested with rac‐tryptophan (rac‐Trp) and rac‐phenylalanine (rac‐Phe) as solutes. The results showed that the absorbent exhibited a high surface area, large pore volume, and bimodal macromesoporous structures, enabling fast mass transfer and high separation efficiency. A fast adsorption rate, reaching equilibrium in less than 6 min, and a high degree of chiral separation, with the enantiomer excess (e.e.) value reaching as high as 100% in the first 10 min, was observed in a small (5 cm in height, 0.46 cm in internal diameter) packed column that could be regenerated with a pH 5.0 HAc‐NaAc buffer. The results show that monodispersed silica spheres with a high BSA loading have great potential for applications in large‐scale chiral separation processes. Chirality, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylations of indoles with dialkyl 3‐oxoprop‐1‐enylphosphonates: Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of α‐indolyl phosphonates
Authors: Guo Ying‐Cen , Li Dong‐Ping , Li Yu‐Ling , Wang Hong‐Mei , Xiao Wen‐Jing
Published: November 2008

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of α‐indolyl phosphonates has been successfully carried out via asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of substituted indoles with (E)‐dialkyl 3‐oxoprop‐1‐enylphosphonates in 48–82% yield and 73–96% ee. Chirality, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intrapancreatic schwannoma diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Li Shaoying , Ai Syed Z. , Owens Christopher , Kulesza Peter
Published: November 2008

Schwannoma is a tumor of neuro‐ectodermal origin, usually occuring in the head and neck and extremities. A retroperitoneal, and particularly intra‐pancreatic presentation is very rare, and poses a clinical and diagnostic challenge. We report a case of a male patient who underwent an Endoscopic Ultrasound‐guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS‐FNA) biopsy of a hypoechoic, intra‐pancreatic mass. The onsite cytological evaluation was consistent with a spindle cell neoplasm. Further evaluation, aided by immunohistochemical stains, defined the mass as a Schwannoma. The patient then underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy and the histopathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen confirmed the cytological diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intra‐pancreatic Schwannoma diagnosed preoperatively by EUS‐FNA cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conservation and expression of IQ‐domain‐containing calpacitin gene products (neuromodulin/GAP‐43, neurogranin/RC3) in the adult and developing oscine song control system
Authors: Clayton David F. , George Julia M. , Mello Claudio V. , Siepka Sandra M.
Published: November 2008

Songbirds are appreciated for the insights they provide into regulated neural plasticity. Here, we describe the comparative analysis and brain expression of two gene sequences encoding probable regulators of synaptic plasticity in songbirds: neuromodulin (GAP‐43) and neurogranin (RC3). Both are members of the calpacitin family and share a distinctive conserved core domain that mediates interactions between calcium, calmodulin, and protein kinase C signaling pathways. Comparative sequence analysis is consistent with known phylogenetic relationships, with songbirds most closely related to chicken and progressively more distant from mammals and fish. The C‐terminus of neurogranin is different in birds and mammals, and antibodies to the protein reveal high expression in adult zebra finches in cerebellar Purkinje cells, which has not been observed in other species. RNAs for both proteins are generally abundant in the telencephalon yet markedly reduced in certain nuclei of the song control system in adult canaries and zebra finches: neuromodulin RNA is very low in RA and HVC (relative to the surrounding pallial areas), whereas neurogranin RNA is conspicuously low in Area X (relative to surrounding striatum). In both cases, this selective downregulation develops in the zebra finch during the juvenile song learning period, 25–45 days after hatching. These results suggest molecular parallels to the robust stability of the adult avian song control circuit. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009
DNA damage in Pakistani agricultural workers exposed to mixture of pesticides
Authors: Bhalli Javed A. , Ali Tayyaba , Asi M.R. , Khalid Zafar M. , Ceppi Marcello , Khan Qaiser M.
Published: November 2008

A cross‐sectional study was designed to determine whether occupational exposure to a complex mixture of pesticides results in a significant increase of DNA damage in farmers chronically exposed to pesticides in open fields. Leukocytes from 47 agriculture workers exposed to pesticides and 50 controls were evaluated with comet assay. Workers recruitment was based on their exposure to pesticides during the spraying season on cotton crop. Serum from these individuals was also analyzed for pesticides presence using high performance liquid chromatography. Statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in DNA damage of exposed individuals (mean ± S.D 14.80 ± 3.04 μm) was observed when compared with control group (6.54 ± 1.73 μm) as studied on the basis of comet tail length. Smokers had significantly higher mean comet tail length than nonsmokers and ex‐smokers in both workers (20.26 ± 3.53 vs. 14.19 ± 4.25, P < 0.001) and controls (7.86 ± 1.09 vs. 5.80 ± 1.59, P < 0.001), whereas age had a minimal effect on DNA damage (P < 0.05). The length of pesticide exposure is positively associated with DNA damage in exposed individuals (P < 0.001). Our study shows that chronic exposure to pesticides produces DNA damage in pesticide sprayers and suggests that this type of monitoring is recommended in preventive policies for pesticide sprayers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotoxic and reproductive effects of an industrially contaminated soil on the earthworm Eisenia Fetida
Authors: Bonnard Marc , Eom Ig‐Chun , Morel Jean‐Louis , Vasseur Paule
Published: November 2008

Polluted soil sampled from a former coking plant in Lorraine (France) was studied for its genotoxicity and reproductive effects on the Eisenia fetida earthworm. Genotoxicity was investigated by means of the single‐cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay on the coelomocytes of earthworms after 4 and 10 days of exposure to the soil. DNA damage and a decline in the number of coelomocytes extruded from earthworms were observed at coking plant soil concentrations of 20 and 40% (w/w) in ISO soil. These soil concentrations had previously been shown to significantly reduce cocoon and juvenile productions after 28 and 56 days of earthworm exposure, respectively. The results showed that genotoxic pollutants in the tested soil were still bioavailable despite the age of the contaminated soil. Similar values of the no‐observed‐effect concentration (NOEC) corresponding to 10% of the contaminated soil and of the lowest soil concentration tested inducing effects (LOEC) corresponding to 20% of the contaminated soil were obtained from reproductive and genotoxicity endpoints. Among the soil pollutants measured, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) appeared to be the most likely source of the genotoxicity recorded, although effects of metals could not be excluded. Measurement of genotoxicity in earthworms could complement the existing standardized tests used in the ecotoxicological assessment of the risk associated with contaminated soils. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SIMPLE‐type preconditioners for the Oseen problem
Authors: ur Rehman M. , Vuik C. , Segal G.
Published: November 2008

In this paper, the steady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are discretized by the finite element method. The resulting systems of equations are solved by preconditioned Krylov subspace methods. Some new preconditioning strategies, both algebraic and problem dependent are discussed. We emphasize on the approximation of the Schur complement as used in semi implicit method for pressure‐linked equations‐type preconditioners. In the usual formulation, the Schur complement matrix and updates use scaling with the diagonal of the convection–diffusion matrix. We propose a variant of the SIMPLER preconditioner. Instead of using the diagonal of the convection–diffusion matrix, we scale the Schur complement and updates with the diagonal of the velocity mass matrix. This variant is called modified SIMPLER (MSIMPLER). With the new approximation, we observe a drastic improvement in convergence for large problems. MSIMPLER shows better convergence than the well‐known least‐squares commutator preconditioner which is also based on the diagonal of the velocity mass matrix. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of a potential “hotspot” DNA region in the RUNX1 gene targeted by mitoxantrone in therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia with t(16;21) translocation
Authors: Ottone Tiziana , Hasan Syed Khizer , Montefusco Enrico , Curzi Paola , Mays Ashley N. , Chessa Luciana , Ferrari Antonella , Conte Esmeralda , Noguera Nelida Inés , Lavorgna Serena , Ammatuna Emanuele , Divona Mariadomenica , Bovetti Katia , Amadori Sergio , Grimwade David , Lo‐Coco Francesco
Published: November 2008

The translocation t(16;21) involving RUNX1 (AML1) and resulting in the RUNX1‐CBFA2T3 fusion is a rare but recurrent abnormality mostly found in therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia (t‐AML) associated with agents targeting topoisomerase II (topo II). We characterized, at the genomic level, the t(16;21) translocation in a patient who developed t‐AML after treatment of multiple sclerosis with mitoxantrone (MTZ). Long template nested PCR of genomic DNA followed by direct sequencing enabled the localization of RUNX1 and CBFA2T3 (ETO2) breakpoints in introns 5 and 3, respectively. Sequencing of the cDNA with specific primers showed the presence of the expected RUNX1‐CBFA2T3 fusion transcript in leukemic cells. The RUNX1 intron 5 breakpoint was located at nucleotide position 24,785. This region contained an ATGCCCCAG nucleotide sequence showing ∼90% homology to a “hotspot” DNA region ATGCCCTAG present in intron 6 of PML previously identified in therapy‐related acute promyelocytic leukemia cases arising following treatment with MTZ. This study suggests a wider distribution in the human genome, and particularly at genes involved in chromosome translocations observed in t‐AML, of DNA regions (hotspot) targeted by specific topo II drugs. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An FGF‐responsive astrocyte precursor isolated from the neonatal forebrain
Authors: Lin Grace , Goldman James E.
Published: November 2008

Gliogenesis in the mammalian CNS continues after birth, with astrocytes being generated well into the first two postnatal weeks. In this study, we have isolated an A2B5+ astrocyte precursor (APC) from the postnatal rat forebrain, which is capable of differentiating into mature astrocytes in serum‐free medium without further trophic support. Exposure to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) selectively induces the APCs to proliferate, forming clusters of vimentin+ cells, which, within 2 weeks, differentiate into GFAP+ astrocytes. While bFGF functions as a potent mitogen, neither is it necessary to induce or maintain astrocyte differentiation, nor is it capable of maintaining the precursors in an immature, proliferative state. APCs exit the cell cycle and differentiate, even in the continued presence of fibroblast growth factor alone or in combination with other mitogenic factors such as platelet‐derived growth factor. Under the culture conditions used, it was not possible to cause the astrocytes to re‐enter cell cycle. After transplantation into the neonatal forebrain, APCs differentiated exclusively into astrocytes, regardless of brain region. Initially distributed widely within the forebrain, the precursors are most greatly concentrated within the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subcortical white matter, where they are maintained throughout postnatal development. APCs can be isolated from the SVZ and white matter of animals as late as 4 weeks after birth. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sigma receptors suppress multiple aspects of microglial activation
Authors: Hall Aaron A. , Herrera Yelenis , Ajmo Craig T. , Cuevas Javier , Pennypacker Keith R.
Published: November 2008

During brain injury, microglia become activated and migrate to areas of degenerating neurons. These microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species causing additional neuronal death. Microglia express high levels of sigma receptors, however, the function of these receptors in microglia and how they may affect the activation of these cells remain poorly understood. Using primary rat microglial cultures, it was found that sigma receptor activation suppresses the ability of microglia to rearrange their actin cytoskeleton, migrate, and release cytokines in response to the activators adenosine triphosphate (ATP), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Next, the role of sigma receptors in the regulation of calcium signaling during microglial activation was explored. Calcium fluorometry experiments in vitro show that stimulation of sigma receptors suppressed both transient and sustained intracellular calcium elevations associated with the microglial response to these activators. Further experiments showed that sigma receptors suppress microglial activation by interfering with increases in intracellular calcium. In addition, sigma receptor activation also prevented membrane ruffling in a calcium‐independent manner, indicating that sigma receptors regulate the function of microglia via multiple mechanisms. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
17β‐estradiol and progesterone prevent cuprizone provoked demyelination of corpus callosum in male mice
Authors: Acs Peter , Kipp Markus , Norkute Akvile , Johann Sonja , Clarner Tim , Braun Alena , Berente Zoltan , Komoly Samuel , Beyer Cordian
Published: November 2008

Sex hormones, for example, estrogen and progesterone, are thought to affect and delay progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in pregnant women. Although both steroid hormones are neuroprotective in the brain and elevated during pregnancy, only estrogen was tested in clinical trials. To evaluate the role of 17β‐estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) in prevention demyelination, young adult male mice were fed with cuprizone for a defined time interval and simultaneously treated with steroids by repeated injections into the neck region. The status of myelination was analyzed by magnetic resonance imaging and conventional histological staining. The individual application of E and P resulted only in a moderate prevention of demyelination in the corpus callosum (CC). The combined treatment with both steroid hormones counteracted the process of demyelination. Expression of the mature (PLP and MBP) and premature (PDGF‐α‐R) oligodendrocyte markers were significantly increased after hormone application in the affected CC. In addition, both hormones stimulated astrogliosis and the expression of IGF‐1. Microglial invasion in demyelinated CC was pronounced and additionally localized in the midline of CC after hormone treatment. These data show that sex steroids can protect the brain from demyelination and stimulate remyelination. It appears that only the administration of both hormones is fully effective. The beneficial steroid effect requires interactions with oligodendrocytes possibly by preventing their degeneration or recruitment from precursor cells which are stimulated to remyelinated fibers. The positive hormonal influence on myelination in the CNS may be a future therapeutically strategy for the treatment of MS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Astrocytic calcium signals induced by neuromodulators via functional metabotropic receptors in the ventral respiratory group of neonatal mice
Authors: Härtel Kai , Schnell Christian , Hülsmann Swen
Published: November 2008

A controlled, periodic exchange of air between lungs and atmosphere requires a neuronal rhythm generated by a network of neurons in the ventral respiratory group (VRG) of the brainstem. Glial cells, e.g. astrocytes, have been shown to be supportive in stabilizing this neuronal activity in the central nervous system during development. In addition, a variety of neuromodulators including serotonin (5‐HT), Substance P (SP), and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) stimulate respiratory neurons directly. If astrocytes in the VRG, like their neuronal neighbors, are also directly stimulated by neuromodulators, they might indirectly affect the respiratory neurons and consequently the respiratory rhythm. In the present study, we provide support for this concept by demonstrating expression of NK1‐R, TRH‐R, and 5‐HT2‐R in astrocytes of the VRG with immunohistochemistry. Additionally, we showed that the external application of the neuromodulators 5‐HT, SP, and TRH activate calcium transients in VRG astrocytes. Consequently, we postulate that in the VRG of the neonatal mouse, neuromodulation by SP, TRH, and serotonin also involves astrocytic calcium signaling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurodevelopmental impairment: Predictors of its impact on the families of extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months
Authors: Stephens Bonnie E. , Bann Carla M. , Poole W. Kenneth , Vohr Betty R.
Published: November 2008

Effects on a family of a child with chronic illness have been described. The Impact on Family Scale (IOF) was developed to measure these effects. The impact of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with neurodevelopmental impairment on families is unknown. This study determined IOF scores for families of ELBW infants with increasing degree of impairment at 18 months and identified factors that increase vulnerability to impact. A total of 3,849 ELBW infant survivors born at the 16 centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network between January 1993 and February 2001 were assessed at 18 to 22 months. Infants were divided into four groups by degree of impairment. IOF scores were analyzed by impairment group. Multivariate analyses assessed effects of impairment, social/demographic factors, unmet service needs, and resource utilization on the IOF. A total of 1,624 (42.2%) infants had moderate/severe impairment. Increasing severity of impairment was associated with higher IOF scores. Severity of impairment contributed 6% of variance to the IOF scores. Twenty‐one percent of variance was contributed by additional medical needs, low socioeconomic status (SES), and lack of social support. Although increasing severity of impairment impacts families of ELBW infants, significantly more impact is contributed by additional medical needs, low SES, and lack of social support.
On the basis‐set dependence of local and integrated electron density properties: Application of a new computer program for quantum‐chemical density analysis
Authors: Volkov Anatoliy , Koritsanszky Tibor , Chodkiewicz Michal , King Harry F.
Published: November 2008

A new computer program for post‐processing analysis of quantum‐chemical electron densities is described. The code can work with Slater‐ and Gaussian‐type basis functions of arbitrary angular momentum. It has been applied to explore the basis‐set dependence of the electron density and its Laplacian in terms of local and integrated topological properties. Our analysis, including Gaussian/Slater basis sets up to sextuple/quadruple‐zeta order, shows that these properties considerably depend on the choice of type and number of primitives utilized in the wavefunction expansion. Basis sets with high angular momentum (l= 5 orl= 6) are necessary to achieve convergence for local properties of the density and the Laplacian. In agreement with previous studies, atomic charges defined within Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules appear to be much more basis‐set dependent than the Hirshfeld's stockholder charges. The former ones converge only at the quadruple‐zeta/higher level with Gaussian/Slater functions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Apoptotic endothelial cells demonstrate increased adhesiveness for human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Potapova Irina A. , Cohen Ira S. , Doronin Sergey V.
Published: November 2008

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) participate in the wound healing process in mammalians. Adhesion of MSCs to endothelium is a key step in the homing of MSCs circulating in the bloodstream to the sites of injury and inflammation. Because endothelial cells (ECs) may become apoptotic under certain pro‐inflammatory conditions, we investigated the effects of pro‐inflammatory, TNF‐α and IL‐1β, and pro‐apoptotic agents, actinomycin D, cycloheximide, okadaic acid, wortmannin, and staurosporine, on human MSCs (hMSCs) adhesion to ECs. Treatment of ECs with pro‐apoptotic agents markedly increased adhesion of hMSCs to ECs. This adhesion correlated with reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibition of NADH dehydrogenases, and release of von Willebrand factor (vWF) by ECs. Treatment of ECs with exogenous vWF also stimulated hMSC adhesion. These data provide evidence that apoptosis of ECs may regulate homing of hMSCs to the sites of tissue injury. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of apoptotic signaling pathways in ECs releases vWF which regulates hMSC adhesion to ECs. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 23–30, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trends in the start of the wet season over Africa
Authors: Kniveton D. R. , Layberry R. , Williams C. J. R. , Peck Mika
Published: November 2008

A quarter of a century of daily rainfall data from the Global Telecommunications System are used to define the temporal and spatial variability of the start of the wet season over Africa and surrounding extreme south of Europe and parts of the Middle East. From 1978 to 2002, the start of the wet season arrived later in the year for the majority of the region, as time progressed. In some parts of the continent, there was an annual increase in the start date of up to 4 days per year. On average, the start of the wet season arrived 9–21 days later from 1978 to 2002, depending on the threshold used to define the start of the rains (varying from 10–30 mm over 2 days, with no dry period in the following 10 days). It is noted that the inter‐annual variability of the start of the wet season is high with the range of start dates varying on average from 116 to 142 days dependent on the threshold used to determine the start date. These results may have important implications for agriculturists on all levels (from the individual farmer to those responsible for regional food supply), as knowledge of potential future climate changes starts to play an increasingly important role in the agricultural decision‐making process, such as sowing and harvesting times. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Distally based sural fasciomyocutaneous flap: Anatomic study and modified technique for complicated wounds of the lower third leg and weight bearing heel
Authors: Chang Shi‐Min , Zhang Kai , Li Hai‐Feng , Huang Yi‐Gang , Zhou Jia‐Qian , Yuan Feng , Yu Guang‐Rong
Published: November 2008

The reconstruction of the distal third leg and weight‐bearing heel, especially when complicated with infection and/or dead space, remains a challenge in reconstructive surgery. The distally based sural neurofasciomyocutaneous flap has been proved a valuable tool in repair of the soft tissue defects of those areas. In this report, we present the results of the anatomical study on vascular communication between the suprafascial sural neurovascular axis and the deep gastrocnemius muscle and a modified technique in clinical applications for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects in the distal lower leg and heel. Six lower limbs of fresh cadavers were injected with red gelatin and dissected. A constant vascular connection with average four musculo‐fasciocutaneous perforators with diameter 0.2–0.5 mm was identified in the overlapping area between the suprafascial sural neurovascular axis and the deep gastrocnemius muscle. Based on these findings, a modified distally based sural neurofasciomyocutaneous flap including the distal gastrocnemius muscle component was designed and used for repairs of the soft tissue defects in the distal lower limb and plantar heel pad in six patients. The blood supplies of flaps comprised either the peroneal perforator and adipofascial pedicle or the peroneal perforator only. The average size of the fasciocutaneous flap was 51 cm2, and the muscle component 17.7 cm2. All flaps survived uneventfully. Our results suggest that this technical modification could provide wider range for applications of the distally based sural neurofasciomyocutaneous flap in repair of the soft tissue defects of the lower extremity and heel. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.
Determination of the Robin coefficient in a nonlinear boundary condition for a steady‐state problem
Authors: Slodička Marián , Lesnic Daniel
Published: November 2008

In this paper, a constant heat transfer coefficient present in a nonlinear Robin‐type boundary condition associated with an elliptic equation is reconstructed uniquely from a single boundary energy measurement. Two types of such boundary energy measurement are considered, and solvability theorems for the solution of the resulting nonlinear inverse problems are provided. Further, one‐dimensional numerical results are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On an initial‐boundary value problem for a wide‐angle parabolic equation in a waveguide with a variable bottom
Authors: Dougalis V. A. , Sturm F. , Zouraris G. E.
Published: November 2008

We consider the third‐order Claerbout‐type wide‐angle parabolic equation (PE) of underwater acoustics in a cylindrically symmetric medium consisting of water over a soft bottom B of range‐dependent topography. There is strong indication that the initial‐boundary value problem for this equation with just a homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition posed on B may not be well‐posed, for example when B is downsloping. We impose, in addition to the above, another homogeneous, second‐order boundary condition, derived by assuming that the standard (narrow‐angle) PE holds on B, and establish a priori H2 estimates for the solution of the resulting initial‐boundary value problem for any bottom topography. After a change of the depth variable that makes B horizontal, we discretize the transformed problem by a second‐order accurate finite difference scheme and show, in the case of upsloping and downsloping wedge‐type domains, that the new model gives stable and accurate results. We also present an alternative set of boundary conditions that make the problem exactly energy conserving; one of these conditions may be viewed as a generalization of the Abrahamsson–Kreiss boundary condition in the wide‐angle case. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood–spinal cord barrier permeability in experimental spinal cord injury: dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Cohen David M. , Patel Chirag B. , Ahobila‐Vajjula Pallavi , Sundberg Laura M. , Chacko Tessy , Liu Shi‐Jie , Narayana Ponnada A.
Published: November 2008

After a primary traumatic injury, spinal cord tissue undergoes a series of pathobiological changes, including compromised blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) integrity. These vascular changes occur over both time and space. In an experimental model of spinal cord injury (SCI), longitudinal dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) studies were performed up to 56 days after SCI to quantify spatial and temporal changes in the BSCB permeability in tissue that did not show any visible enhancement on the post‐contrast MRI (non‐enhancing tissue). DCE‐MRI data were analyzed using a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model. These studies demonstrate gradual restoration of BSCB with post‐SCI time. However, on the basis of DCE‐MRI, and confirmed by immunohistochemistry, the BSCB remained compromised even at 56 days after SCI. In addition, open‐field locomotion was evaluated using the 21‐point Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan scale. A significant correlation between decreased BSCB permeability and improved locomotor recovery was observed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Error estimation and adaptivity for discontinuous failure
Authors: Pannachet T. , Sluys L. J. , Askes H.
Published: November 2008

Discontinuous failure is simulated via the introduction of a geometrical discontinuity. The cohesive zone is modelled via the use of the partition‐of‐unity property of the finite element interpolation. By this approach, a crack can pass through the elements without any restriction to the underlying mesh. Despite such a feature, it has been confirmed that a sufficiently fine mesh discretization still needs to be ensured in order to obtain a correct crack path and mechanical response. The p‐adaptive scheme, driven by error in an energy norm measure or a goal‐oriented measure, has been examined due to its implementational simplicity. The results have shown that, if considering only increasing the polynomial degree, the p‐approach can greatly improve the results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The dark triad: Facilitating a short‐term mating strategy in men
Authors: Jonason Peter K. , Li Norman P. , Webster Gregory D. , Schmitt David P.
Published: November 2008

This survey (N = 224) found that characteristics collectively known as the Dark Triad (i.e. narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism) were correlated with various dimensions of short‐term mating but not long‐term mating. The link between the Dark Triad and short‐term mating was stronger for men than for women. The Dark Triad partially mediated the sex difference in short‐term mating behaviour. Findings are consistent with a view that the Dark Triad facilitates an exploitative, short‐term mating strategy in men. Possible implications, including that Dark Triad traits represent a bundle of individual differences that promote a reproductively adaptive strategy are discussed. Findings are discussed in the broad context of how an evolutionary approach to personality psychology can enhance our understanding of individual differences. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative proteome profiling of MCF10A and 184A1 human breast epithelial cells emphasized involvement of CDK4 and cyclin D3 in cell proliferation
Authors: Bhaskaran Nimesh , Lin Kah Wai , Gautier Aude , Woksepp Hanna , Hellman Ulf , Souchelnytskyi Serhiy
Published: November 2008

Acquiring high proliferation rate is crucial for carcinogenic transformation of cells. We report here proteome profiling of human breast epithelial cells with low (184A1) and high (MCF10A) proliferation rates. We identified 183 proteins in 184A1 and 318 proteins in MCF10A cells. These datasets provide the most comprehensive proteome annotations of 184A1 and MCF10A cells. Proteins were taken for identification from 2‐D gels in a systematic and unbiased way. Functional clustering of the identified proteins showed similarities in distribution of proteins to the same functional domains, indicating similarities in proteomes of 184A1 and MCF10A cells. Among observed differences in protein expression, we validated correlation of expression of endogenous cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), cyclin D3, cdc25B, and p38γ with cell proliferation. Furthermore, down‐regulation of CDK4 and cyclin D3 with specific siRNA inhibited cell proliferation, which emphasized the role of CDK4 and cyclin D3 in enhancement of cell proliferation rate of human breast epithelial cells.
Mass spectrometry in clinical proteomics – from the present to the future
Authors: Palmblad Magnus , Tiss Ali , Cramer Rainer
Published: November 2008

MS is an important analytical tool in clinical proteomics, primarily in the disease‐specific discovery, identification and characterisation of proteomic biomarkers and patterns. MS‐based proteomics is increasingly used in clinical validation and diagnostic method development. The latter departs from the typical application of MS‐based proteomics by exchanging some of the high performance of analysis for the throughput, robustness and simplicity required for clinical diagnostics. Although conventional MS‐based proteomics has become an important field in clinical applications, some of the most recent MS technologies have not yet been extensively applied in clinical proteomics. In this review, we will describe the current state of MS in clinical proteomics and look to the future of this field.
A novel phosphoprotein analysis scheme for assessing changes in premalignant and malignant breast cell lines using 2‐D liquid separations, protein microarrays, and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Patwa Tasneem H. , Wang Yanfei , Miller Fred R. , Goodison Steve , Pennathur Subramaniam , Barder Timothy J. , Lubman David M.
Published: November 2008

An analysis of phosphorylation changes that occur during cancer progression would provide insights into the molecular pathways responsible for a malignant phenotype. In this study we employed a novel coupling of 2‐D liquid separations and protein microarray technology to reveal changes in phosphoprotein status between premalignant (AT1) and malignant (CA1a) cell lines derived from the human MCF10A breast cell lines. Intact proteins were first separated according to their pI and hydrophobicities, then arrayed on SuperAmine glass slides. Phosphoproteins were detected using the universal, inorganic phospho‐sensor dye, Pro‐Q Diamond. Using this dye, out of 140 spots that were positive for phosphorylation, a total of 85 differentially expressed spots were detected over a pH range of 7.2–4.0. Proteins were identified and their peptides sequenced by MS. The strategy enabled the identification of 75 differentially expressed phosphoproteins, from which 51 phosphorylation sites in 27 unique proteins were confirmed. Interestingly, the majority of differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins observed were nuclear proteins. Three regulators of apoptosis, Bad, Bax, and Acinus, were also differentially phosphorylated in the two cell lines. Further development of this strategy will facilitate an understanding of the mechanisms involved in malignancy progression and other disease‐related phenotypes.
Immunoglobulin 1 (IgG1) Fc‐glycosylation profiling of anti‐citrullinated peptide antibodies from human serum
Authors: Scherer H. Ulrich , Wang Jun , Toes René E. M. , van der Woude Diane , Koeleman Carolien A. M. , de Boer Arjen R. , Huizinga Tom W. J. , Deelder André M. , Wuhrer Manfred
Published: November 2008

In several autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), autoantibodies are thought to be the driving force of pathogenicity. Glycosylation of the Fc‐part of human Igs is known to modulate biological activity. Hitherto, glycosylation of human IgG‐Fc has been analyzed predominantly at the level of total serum IgG, revealing reduced galactosylation in RA. Given the pathogenic relevance of autoantibodies in RA, we wished, in the present study, to address the question whether distinct Fc‐glycosylation features are observable at the level of antigen‐specific IgG subpopulations. For this purpose, we have developed a method for the microscale purification and Fc‐glycosylation analysis of anti‐citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA). ACPA represent a group of autoantibodies that occur with unique specificity in RA patients. Their presence is associated with increased inflammatory disease activity and rapid joint destruction. Results indicate that ACPA of the IgG1 subclass vary considerably from total serum IgG1 with respect to Fc‐galactosylation, with galactosylation being higher on ACPA than on serum IgG1 for some patients, while other patients show higher galactosylation on serum IgG1 than on ACPA. Using this method, studies can be performed on the biological and clinical relevance of ACPA glycosylation within RA patient cohorts.
Dielectric behavior of TiC–PVDF nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Fajun , Zhou Dongxiang , Gong Shuping
Published: November 2008

TiC/PVDF nanocomposite is prepared via simple blending and hot pressing route. Percolation theory was employed to explain the dielectric behavior of the TiC/PVDF composites. The dependence of the dielectric properties of the composite on both volume fraction of the filler and frequency is investigated. High dielectric constant (ϵ = 540) and low loss (tan δ = 0.48) of the composites at 100 Hz have been observed near the percolation threshold (0.12). The composites show a weak frequency dependence towards the high frequency range (10–100 kHz), regardless of the TiC content. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)