bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Half‐Sandwich Rare Earth Metal Complexes as Novel Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization and Other Chemical Transformations
Authors: Nishiura Masayoshi , Hou Zhaomin
Published: August 2010

Review: 32 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Fluorinated β‐Amino Acids
Authors: Acena Jose Luis , Simon‐Fuentes Antonio , Fustero Santos
Published: August 2010

Review: 98 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Chitosan Amphiphilic Derivatives. Chemistry and Applications
Authors: Aranaz Inmaculada , Harris Ruth , Heras Angeles
Published: August 2010

Review: 189 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Transition Metal Single Site Catalysts — From Homogeneous to Immobilized Systems
Authors: Ward Antony J. , Masters Anthony F. , Maschmeyer Thomas
Published: August 2010

Review: 203 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Preparation of Single Site Catalysts on Oxides and Metals Prepared via Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Authors: Basset Jean‐Marie , Baudouin Anne , Bayard Francois , Candy Jean‐Pierre , Coperet Christophe , De Mallmann Aimery , Godard Gregory , Kuntz Emile , Lefebvre Frederic , Lucas Christine , et al. et al.
Published: August 2010

Review: 136 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Structure and Function of the Chalcone Synthase Superfamily of Plant Type III Polyketide Synthases
Authors: Abe Ikuro , Morita Hiroyuki
Published: August 2010

Review: 142 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Targeting α‐ versus β‐3 Integrin: Design and Applications of Mono‐ and Multifunctional RGD‐Based Peptides and Semipeptides
Authors: Auzzas L. , Zanardi F. , Battistini L. , Burreddu P. , Carta P. , Rassu G. , Curti C. , Casiraghi G.
Published: August 2010

Review: 248 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Understanding Selective Oxidations
Authors: Neuenschwander Ulrich , Turra Natascia , Aellig Christof , Mania Philipp , Hermans Ive
Published: August 2010

Review: 55 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Raman Spectroscopy and Imaging of Graphene
Authors: Ni Zhenhua , Wang Yingying , Yu Ting , Shen Zexiang
Published: August 2010

Review: 84 refs.
Rate‐based modelling of reactive absorption of acid gases in an aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solution
Authors: Falahat R. , Montazer‐Rahmati M. M. , Bolouri O.
Published: August 2010

In this work different tools for accurate prediction of acid gas absorption are used. At first, simulation of reactive absorption is carried out using the RATEFRAC module of Aspen Plus, which is tested against pilot plant data. The limitations and disadvantages of this module are presented. In order to present a more predictive approach a rate‐based model for the gas scrubbing process is developed. In this model the assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium is considered only at the gas–liquid interphase. Chemical equilibrium among the reacting species in the liquid phase is assumed just for the bulk phase. Mass transfer is modelled using mass transfer coefficients calculated from available correlations which are then improved using an enhancement factor to account for the chemical reactions. The validity of the suggested model is established by comparison of model results with published pilot plant data. The prediction results using the proposed model are improved by around 17% AAD for CO2 and around 7.5% AAD for H2S compared to simulation results using Aspen Plus.
A population‐based competing‐risks analysis of the survival of patients treated with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer
Authors: Lughezzani Giovanni , Sun Maxine , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Budäus Lars , Thuret Rodolphe , Jeldres Claudio , Liberman Daniel , Montorsi Francesco , Perrotte Paul , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND.

Patients treated with radical cystectomy represent a very heterogeneous group with respect to cancer‐specific and other‐cause mortality. Comorbidities and comorbidity‐associated events represent very important causes of mortality in those individuals. The authors examined the rates of cancer‐specific and other‐cause mortality in a population‐based radical cystectomy cohort.

METHODS.

The authors identified 11,260 patients treated with radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder between 1988 and 2006 within 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. Patients were stratified into 20 strata according to patient age and tumor stage at radical cystectomy. Smoothed Poisson regression models were fitted to obtain estimates of cancer‐specific and other‐cause mortality rates at specific time points after radical cystectomy.

RESULTS.

After stratification according to disease stage and patient age, cancer‐specific mortality emerged as the main cause of mortality in all patient strata. Nonetheless, at 5 years after radical cystectomy, between 8.5% and 27.1% of deaths were attributable to other‐cause mortality. The 3 most common causes of other‐cause mortality were other malignancies, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The most prominent effect on cancer‐specific mortality was exerted by locally advanced bladder cancer stages. Conversely, age was the main determinant of other‐cause mortality. Interestingly, even after adjusting for bladder cancer pathologic stage, cancer‐specific mortality was higher in older individuals than their younger counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS.

The current study provides a valuable graphical aid for prediction of cancer‐specific and other‐cause mortality according to disease stage and patient age. It can help clinicians to better stratify the risk‐benefit ratio of radical cystectomy. Hopefully, these findings will be considered in treatment decision making and during informed consent before radical cystectomy. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Ontology mapping: as a binary classification problem
Authors: Mao Ming , Peng Yefei , Spring Michael
Published: August 2010

Ontology mapping (OM) seeks to find semantic correspondences between similar elements of different ontologies. OM is critical to achieve semantic interoperability in the World Wide Web. To solve the OM problem, this article proposes a non‐instance learning‐based approach that transforms the OM problem into a binary classification problem and utilizes machine learning techniques as a solution. Same as other machine learning‐based approaches, a number of features (i.e. linguistic, structural, and web features) are generated for each mapping candidate. However, in contrast to other learning‐based mapping approaches, the features proposed in our approach are generic and do not rely on the existence and sufficiency of instances. Therefore, our approach can be generalized to different domains without extra training efforts. To evaluate our approach, two experiments (i.e. within‐task vs cross‐task) are implemented and the SVM (support vector machine) algorithm is applied. Experimental results show that our non‐instance learning‐based OM approach performs well on most of OAEI benchmark tests when training and testing on the same mapping task; and the results of approach vary according to the likelihood of training data and testing data when training and testing on different mapping tasks. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Charge Separation in Wurtzite/Zinc‐Blende Heterojunction GaN Nanowires
Authors: Wang Zhiguo , Li Jingbo , Gao Fei , Weber William J.
Published: August 2010

The electronic properties of wurtzite/zinc‐blende (WZ/ZB) heterojunction GaN are investigated using first‐principles methods. A small component of ZB stacking formed along the growth direction in the WZ GaN nanowires does not show a significant effect on the electronic property, whereas a charge separation of electrons and holes occurs along the directions perpendicular to the growth direction in the ZB stacking. The later case provides an efficient way to separate the charge through controlling crystal structure. These results have significant implications for most state of the art excitonic solar cells and the tuning region in tunable laser diodes.
Melanin‐Containing Films: Growth from Dopamine Solutions versus Layer‐by‐Layer Deposition
Authors: Bernsmann Falk , Ersen Ovidiu , Voegel Jean‐Claude , Jan Edward , Kotov Nicholas A. , Ball Vincent
Published: August 2010

Films formed by oxidation of dopamine are of interest for functionalisation of solid–liquid interfaces owing to their versatility. However, the ability to modulate the properties of such films, for example, permeability to ionic species and the absorption coefficient, is urgently needed. Indeed, melanin films produced by oxidation of dopamine absorb strongly over the whole UV/Vis part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are impermeable to anions even for a film thickness as low as a few nanometers. Herein we combine oxidation of dopamine to produce a solution containing dopamine–melanin particles and their alternating deposition with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) to produce films which have nearly the same morphology as pure dopamine–melanin films but are less compact, more transparent and more permeable to ferrocyanide anions.
Preliminary validation of an ultra‐brief version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire
Authors: Berle David , Starcevic Vladan , Moses Karen , Hannan Anthony , Milicevic Denise , Sammut Peter
Published: August 2010

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is widely regarded as the gold standard self‐report questionnaire for pathological worry. However, the factorial structure of the scale remains contentious. We sought to determine whether a psychometrically sound brief version of the PSWQ, which avoids contentious items and yet incorporates the essential features of pathological worry, could be derived from the existing PSWQ item pool. After inspecting items of the PSWQ and the findings of previous factor analytic studies, three items were selected that capture the essence of pathological worry (i.e., high frequency, perceived uncontrollability and multiple domains of worry), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition). We then compared the psychometric properties of the 3‐item PSWQ with the full PSWQ in a sample of 225 clients attending an anxiety disorders clinic. Despite its brevity, the 3‐item PSWQ had internal consistency comparable with that of the standard PSWQ, and performed equally well with regards to convergent and discriminant validity, in screening for a generalized anxiety disorder diagnosis and in detecting change with treatment. The 3‐item ultra‐brief version of the PSWQ is quick to administer, simple to score and possesses psychometric properties very similar to the 16‐item version. Further research should confirm the psychometric properties of the 3‐item version when administered independently of the other items and assess the scale's test–retest reliability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

• The 3‐item version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) captures the essence of pathological worry, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (Fourth Edition).

• The 3‐item version of the PSWQ appears to have similar psychometric properties to the full, 16‐item version, and is therefore a good measure of pathological worry.

• The 3‐item PSWQ is quick to administer in time‐pressured clinical settings.

• The 3‐item PSWQ is simple to score and does not include reverse‐keyed items.
EDTA‐assisted synthesis of rose‐like ZnO architectures
Authors: Li Zhen , Fang Yaoguo , Peng Liwei , Pan Dengyu , Wu Minghong
Published: August 2010

Rose‐like ZnO nanostructures were prepared by a low‐temperature solution route with assistance of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA‐2Na). The morphology of ZnO nanostructures was found to change from nanowire arrays to rose‐ and tower‐like architectures with increasing the molar ratio of EDTA‐2Na/Zn2+. Also, the shape evolution of ZnO nanostructures with time was observed from flat nanosheets to wrinkled nanosheets and to rose‐like nanostructures. EDTA‐2Na as a strong complexing agent was found to play a key role in the shape evolution. Photoluminescence spectra show that the rose‐like ZnO architectures have more defects than the nanowire arrays. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Using Precursor Chemistry to Template Vanadium Oxide for Chemical Sensing
Authors: Beardslee Joseph A. , Mebust Anna K. , Chaimowitz Adam S. , Davis–VanAtta Casey R. , Leonard Heidi , Moersch Tyler L. , Afridi Mohammed Y. , Taylor Charles J.
Published: August 2010

Two single source precursors for vanadium oxide (vanadium oxytripropoxide, VO(OC3H7)3 and vanadium oxytrinitrate, VO(NO3)3) are used to prepare selective chemical sensors. Sensors demonstrate reduced sensitivity to compounds formed during their preparation. X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies suggest that this selectivity is likely due to preferred orientation resulting from differences in the molecular structures of the single source precursors used for preparing the vanadium oxide.
[cis‐(1,3‐Diene)2W(CO)2] Complexes as MOCVD Precursors for the Deposition of Thin Tungsten – Tungsten Carbide Films
Authors: Jipa Ilona , Heinemann Frank W. , Schneider Andreas , Popovska Nadejda , Siddiqi M. Aslam , Siddiqui Rehan A. , Atakan Burak , Marbach Hubertus , Papp Christian , Steinrück Hans‐Peter , Zenneck Ulrich
Published: August 2010

Tungsten ‐ tungsten carbide thin films are deposited by metal‐organic (MO)CVD on silica‐coated silicon wafers using [cis‐(1,3‐butadiene)2W(CO)2] and [cis‐(1,3‐cyclohexadiene)2W(CO)2], respectively, as tunable precursor complexes. The compounds are prepared through photochemical ligand exchange reactions from [W(CO)6] and fully characterized, including X‐ray structure determination and detailed differential thermal analysis (DTA)/thermogravimetry (TG) investigations. Gas‐phase diffusion coefficients and the vapor pressure of the compounds are calculated. The MOCVD experiments are performed in a vertical cold‐wall reactor and the exhaust gas is analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements are utilized for film characterization. Consequences of the high oxophilicity of freshly formed tungsten surfaces, consecutive surface reactions of the complex ligands, film growth, and film properties are discussed. Inside the layers, tungsten carbide is identified as the main component.
Sox14 is required for transcriptional and developmental responses to 20‐hydroxyecdysone at the onset of drosophila metamorphosis
Authors: Ritter Amanda R. , Beckstead Robert B.
Published: August 2010

The steroid hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E), by means of a heterodimer consisting of two nuclear receptors, the Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (Usp), triggers the major developmental transitions in the Drosophila life cycle through the regulation of genetic hierarchies. We have previously demonstrated that the Sox14 transcription factor is a primary response gene to 20E/EcR/Usp complex. In this study, we show that mutations in sox14 result in prepupal and pupal lethality with animals displaying a multitude of defects in 20E developmentally regulated pathways. In addition, through Northern blot and microarray analyses of sox14 mutant animals, we demonstrate that Sox14 is required for the proper expression of 20E‐ and non–20E‐regulated genes at the onset of metamorphosis. We also show that the Sox14‐regulated gene set correlates well with Sox14 expression in a variety of larval and adult tissues. Thus, Sox14 is a critical transcription factor required for 20E signaling at the onset of metamorphosis. Developmental Dynamics 239:2685–2694, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimicrobial properties of 1‐monoacylglycerols prepared from undecanoic (C11:0) and undecenoic (C11:1) acid
Authors: Doležalová Magda , Janiš Rahula , Svobodová Hana , Kašpárková Věra , Humpolíček Petr , Krejčí Jiří
Published: August 2010

Antimicrobial activity of monoacylglycerols (MAG) with odd number of carbons prepared from undecanoic (MAG C11:0) and undecenoic (MAG C11:1) was investigated. Data showed that both studied substances successfully inhibited Gram‐positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus) and spore‐forming rods (Bacillus cereus). Gram‐negative bacteria were highly resistant against MAG C11:0 and showed considerable tolerance against MAG C11:1. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MAG C11:1 was possible to determine for Escherichia coli only. Complete inhibition of three fungi genera (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Trichothecium) was achieved using MAG C11:1 with a concentration higher than 750 µg/mL. The growth of Aspergillus niger, Mucor racemosus, Phoma, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma was significantly reduced. Generally, MAG C11:1 was more efficient than MAG C11:0 against all tested microorganisms. Due to a rich production of degradation enzymes, some fungi species surprisingly adapted their metabolism during growth and were even able to utilise tested MAG as a source of carbon.

Practical applications: MAG composed of fatty acids with odd number of carbons in molecule are a promising group of substances applicable in food industry and cosmetics. They represent materials with broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram‐positive bacteria. More efficient MAG C11:1 with a double bond in molecule can be recommended for reduction of S. aureus that cause food enterotoxicosis.
A Novel Approach to the Evaluation of the Importance of Steric and Electronic Effects in SNAr Reactions: A Computational, Thermodynamic and 1H and 13C NMR Study of “Meisenheimer‐Type” Adducts in the Benzo[b]thiophene Series
Authors: Consiglio Giovanni , Cosimelli Barbara , Guernelli Susanna , Lanza Camilla Zaira , Sancassan Fernando , Spinelli Domenico , Stenta Marco
Published: August 2010

The synthetically useful nucleophilic attack on nitrobenzo[b]thiophenes, a starting point for ring‐opening/ring‐closure pathways to different heterocyclic systems, has been investigated in detail. 3‐Nitrobenzo[b]thiophene (9) and 2‐nitrobenzo[b]thiophene (10) react with sodium methoxide in either DMSO or methanol to give the relevant “Meisenheimer‐type” adducts 9′ and 10′, identified by NMR spectroscopy. A UV study indicated that the equilibrium constants for the formation of 9′ at 293 K are 10.1 and 40 700 L mol–1 in methanol and in DMSO, respectively. Competition reactions showed that the stability constant of 10′ is lower than that of 9′: accordingly, DFT [B3LYP/6‐31+G(d,p)] calculations indicate that the formation of 9′ is thermodynamically more favoured than that of 10′ both in the gas phase and in DMSO. The reason for the opposite sequence in the stability constants previously found for the corresponding gem‐dimethoxy Meisenheimer adducts 7′ and 8′ was therefore investigated in depth and appears to be a consequence of different steric interactions in the starting compounds, 2‐methoxy‐3‐nitro‐(7) and 3‐methoxy‐2‐nitrobenzo[b]thiophene (8), respectively. A study of 13C NMR chemical shift changes accompanying the formation of adducts 9′ and 10′ confirms that the formation of the adduct exhibiting the larger stability constant is accompanied by a smaller π electron density redistribution, as we have previously found in other cases all governed by electronic effects. The opposite behaviour is observed in the formation of the gem‐dimethoxy adducts 7′ and 8′, which is a consequence of the predominance of steric effects. Further outcomes of more general interest deal with the aromatic character of benzo[b]thiophenes. NMR spectroscopic data and calculated bond lengths show that in the studied reactions the benzene ring, unlike the thiophene one, is scarcely affected by methoxide addition, retaining its nearly “full” aromatic character. Benzocondensation increases the stability constants of σ‐adducts mainly because of a marked reduction in the aromatic character of the thiophene ring in the substrates.
Photooxidation of Dithiaethyneporphyrin
Authors: Berlicka Anna , Latos‐Grażyński Lechosław , Szterenberg Ludmiła , Pawlicki Miłosz
Published: August 2010

The oxidative degradation of the contracted carbaporphyrinoid 3,8,13,18‐tetraphenyldithiaethyneporphyrin, which contains an acetylene moiety embedded in the macrocyclic framework, was investigated. The light‐induced, regioselective cleavage of the macrocyclic ring was observed during exposure to dioxygen affording four open‐chain diastereomers terminated by carbonyl groups. Studies on the regioselectivity of the process showed that the thiophene was cleft together with the 8‐aryl substituent, which proved the primary attack of dioxygen at the C8–C9 bond. Diastereomers {4Z,10E}, {4Z,10Z}, {4E,10E}, and {4E,10Z} [the arrangement with respect to C4–C5 and C10···C13 conjugated bonds given] differ by the orientation of the terminal pyrrolone unit with respect to the 5‐phenyl substituent and by the geometry around the cumulene fragment. Thermal {4Z,10E}–{4Z,10Z} and {4E,10E}–{4E,10Z} isomerization was detected and was confirmed by exchange cross‐peaks in the ROESY map. The molecular structures of the {4Z,10E} and {4E,10E} stereoisomers were established by X‐ray analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) was applied to model the molecular and electronic structure of {4Z,10E}, {4Z,10Z}, {4E,10E}, and {4E,10Z}. The very small energy difference observed between suitable diastereomers accounts for their coexistence in solution (0.48 kcal/mol for {4Z,10E}, {4Z,10Z}; 0.63 kcal/mol for {4E,10E}, {4E,10Z}).
CuO‐Doped Mesoporous Silica Hybrid for Rapid and Sensitive Amperometric Detection of Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Liu Yiying , Lei Jianping , Ju Huangxian
Published: August 2010

This work constructed an amperometric biosensing platform using CuO doped mesoporous silica hybrid (CuO/SBA‐15) as a carrier. The CuO/SBA‐15 showed a pair of redox peaks of Cu2+/0. Upon immobilization of tyrosinase on the hybrid, the resulting biosensor exhibited a rapid (<0.5 s) and sensitive amperometric response to phenolic compounds under the optimized conditions. The linear response to catechol ranged from 1.2×10−9 to 3.0×10−5 M. The activation energy for enzymatic reaction was calculated to be 26.6 kJ mol−1. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constants of the enzyme electrode were estimated to be 54.6, 145, 17.0, 74.8 and 633 µM for catechol, phenol, p‐cresol, m‐cresol and dopamine hydrochloride, respectively. The metal oxide doped mesoporous silica hybrid exhibited excellent performance for construction of new biosensors.
Fabrication of Bienzymatic Glucose Biosensor Based on Novel Gold Nanoparticles‐Bacteria Cellulose Nanofibers Nanocomposite
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Hong‐Yi , Zhang De‐Wen , Jiang Jing , Cui Yi‐Ran , Qiu Shuang , Zhou Ying‐Lin , Zhang Xin‐Xiang
Published: August 2010

An exploration of gold nanoparticles–bacterial cellulose nanofibers (Au‐BC) nanocomposite as a platform for amperometric determination of glucose is presented. Two enzymes, glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were immobilized in Au‐BC nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode at the same time. A sensitive and fast amperometric response to glucose was observed in the presence of electron mediator (HQ). Both of GOx and HRP kept their biocatalytic activities very well in Au‐BC nanocomposite. The detection limit for glucose in optimized conditions was as low as 2.3 µM with a linear range from 10 µM to 400 µM. The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in human blood samples.
Highly Sensitive Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Cd, Zn and Pb Ions in Water Samples Using Stable Carbon‐Based Mercury Thin‐Film Electrode
Authors: Ensafi Ali A. , Nazari Zahra , Fritsch Ingrid
Published: August 2010

A new carbon‐based mercury thin‐film electrode consisting of screen‐printed carbon on a low temperature co‐fired ceramic substrate was made. Ex‐situ mercury deposition in a potassium thiocyanate solution was used. This approach an electrode with high long‐term stability (>500 measurement cycles) and reproducibility (≤2 %) for sensitive determination of ultra trace heavy metals, using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The detection limits were 0.25, 0.08 and 5.5 ng mL−1 for Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II), respectively. The method was applied to the determination of the analytes in water, wastewater, lake water, and certified reference material samples with satisfactory results.
Activated Copper Cathodes as Sensors for Nitrite Analysis
Authors: Gamboa Juan C. M. , Peña Roselyn C. , Paixão Thiago R. L. C. , Lima Alex S. , Bertotti Mauro
Published: August 2010

The increased surface area of copper electrodes upon applying a suitable potential protocol was characterized by atomic force microscopy images. Scanning electrochemical microscopy was used to demonstrate the enhanced reactivity of the generated surface. The modified electrode showed excellent catalytic activity towards nitrite reduction in acidic medium (pH 2). This new platform was used in the development of a fast and simple voltammetric method for nitrite determination. Commercial and rainwater spiked samples were analyzed and the data showed an excellent agreement with those obtained with a reference spectrophotometric method (Griess reaction) at a confidence level of 95 % (Student’s t‐test).
Microfluidic gradient platforms for controlling cellular behavior
Authors: Chung Bong Geun , Choo Jaebum
Published: August 2010

Concentration gradients play an important role in controlling biological and pathological processes, such as metastasis, embryogenesis, axon guidance, and wound healing. Microfluidic devices fabricated by photo‐ and soft lithography techniques can manipulate the fluidic flow and diffusion profile to create biomolecular gradients in a temporal and spatial manner. Furthermore, microfluidic devices enable the control of cell‐extracellular microenvironment interactions, including cell–cell, cell–matrix, and cell–soluble factor interaction. In this paper, we review the development of microfluidic‐based gradient devices and highlight their biological applications.
An ultra‐high temperature flow‐through capillary device for bacterial spore lysis
Authors: Hukari Kyle W. , Patel Kamlesh D. , Renzi Ronald F. , West Jay A. A.
Published: August 2010

Rapid and specific characterization of bacterial endospores is dependent on the ability to rupture the cell wall to enable analysis of the intracellular components. In particular, bacterial spores from the bacillus genus are inherently robust and very difficult to lyze or solubilize. Standard protocols for spore inactivation include chemical treatment, sonication, pressure, and thermal lysis. Although these protocols are effective for the inactivation of these agents, they are less well suited for sample preparation for analysis using proteomic and genomic approaches. To overcome this difficulty, we have designed a simple capillary device to perform thermal lysis of bacterial spores. Using this device, we were able to super heat (195°C) an ethylene glycol lysis buffer to perform rapid flow‐through rupture and solubilization of bacterial endospores. We demonstrated that the lysates from this preparation method are compatible with CGE as well as DNA amplification analysis. We further demonstrated the flow‐through lysing device could be directly coupled to a miniaturized electrophoresis instrument for integrated sample preparation and analysis. In this arrangement, we were enabled to perform sample lysis, fluorescent dye labeling, and protein electrophoresis analysis of bacterial spores in less than 10 min. The described sample preparation device is rapid, simple, inexpensive, and easily integratable with various microfluidic devices.
A miniaturized spatial temperature gradient capillary electrophoresis system with radiative heating and automated sample introduction for DNA mutation detection
Authors: Xu Zhang‐Run , Li Qi , Fan Xiao‐Feng , Zhang Hui‐Dan , Fang Jin
Published: August 2010

A miniaturized spatial temperature gradient CE system with automated sample introduction for DNA mutation detection was established. Continuous electrokinetic sample injection was achieved by combining an automated slotted‐vial array sample introduction device to the spatial temperature gradient CE system. The temperature gradient was produced by a radiative heating system with a single graphite block heater, and the stability of the temperature gradient was investigated. The temperature variation of each measure point was 0.12–0.21% RSD (n=7) within 6 h. A 14‐cm Teflon AF‐coated silica capillary was used both as the separation channel and as the liquid‐core waveguide tube of fluorescence signal. Under a temperature gradient from 54.8 to 59.5°C, a low range control mutation standard (209 bp) was separated within 4 min with only 5.6 nL sample consumption. Automated continuous sample introducing and changing were realized with a carryover of 3.3%. Utility of the system was further demonstrated by detecting K‐ras gene mutations in paraffin tissue sections from two colorectal cancer patients.
Secondary hemophagocytic syndrome in adults: a case series of 18 patients in a single institution and a review of literature
Authors: Shabbir Munira , Lucas John , Lazarchick John , Shirai Keisuke
Published: August 2010

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rare in adults and is usually fatal without treatment. We present a consecutive series of 18 adults with HLH diagnosed at our institution between 2004 and 2009. All diagnoses were confirmed by pathology. The median age at diagnosis was 56 years (range: 18–73 years), with a male: female ratio of 2:1. Patients uniformly presented with fever. Fifty‐five per cent of the patients presented with evidence of hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. All of the patients had at least a bi‐ or trilineage cytopenia. Elevated liver enzymes, hyperferritinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperfibrinogenemia were seen in 50, 100, 40 and 50% of patients, respectively. The presumed causes were as follows; haematological malignancies (n = 4), post‐autologous stem cell transplant (n = 2), infection (n = 2), rheumatologic illness (n = 2), sickle cell disease (n = 1), post‐orthotopic liver transplant (n = 1) and idiopathic (n = 3). The median time from suspicion to diagnosis was 5 days (1–27 days). Corticosteroids and/or cyclosporine were the most frequently used treatment regimen. Other agents used were etoposide, IVIG, cyclophosphamide and chemotherapy. The mortality rate was 72%, with multi‐system organ failure being the most common cause of death. Median survival time from diagnosis was 35 days. Six patients are alive to date. In a univariate analysis, the presence of fever was the only factor that was statistically significant for predicting a poor prognosis (early mortality) (p = 0.05). In conclusion, a high index of suspicion is the critical factor for early diagnosis. Early treatment with immunosuppressant is warranted, and a thorough diagnostic evaluation to identify the underlying cause should be undertaken. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chitosan‐based gene delivery vectors targeted to the peripheral nervous system
Authors: Oliveira Hugo , Pires Liliana R. , Fernandez Ramon , Martins M. Cristina L. , Simões Sérgio , Pêgo Ana P.
Published: August 2010

A non‐toxic, targeted, simple and efficient system that can specifically transfect peripheral sensorial neurons can pave the way towards the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. In this study chitosan (CH), a biodegradable polymer, was used as the starting material in the design of a multicomponent vector targeted to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Polycation‐DNA complexes were optimized using imidazole‐ and thiol‐grafted CH (CHimiSH), in order to increase transfection efficiency and allow the formation of ligand conjugated nanocomplexes, respectively. The 50 kDa non‐toxic fragment from the tetanus toxin (HC), shown to interact specifically with peripheral neurons and undergo retrograde transport, was grafted to the binary complex via a bi‐functional poly(ethylene glycol) (HC‐PEG) reactive for the thiol moieties present in the complex surface. The targeting of the developed nanocomplexes was assessed by means of internalization and transfection studies in the ND7/23 (neuronal) vs. NIH 3T3 (fibroblast) cell lines. Targeted transfection was further confirmed in dorsal root ganglion dissociated primary cultures. A versatile, multi‐component nanoparticle system that successfully targets and transfects neuronal cell lines, as well as dorsal root ganglia (DRG) primary neuron cultures was obtained for the 1.0 (w/w) HC‐PEG/DNA formulation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Encapsulation of ePTFE in prevascularized collagen leads to peri‐implant vascularization with reduced inflammation
Authors: Gruionu Gabriel , Stone Alice L. , Schwartz Mark A. , Hoying James B. , Williams Stuart K.
Published: August 2010

During the typical healing response to an implanted biomaterial, vascular‐rich granulation tissue forms around the implant and later resolves into a relatively avascular, fibrous capsule. We have previously shown that a microvascular construct (MVC) consisting of isolated microvessel fragments suspended in a collagen I gel forms a persistent microcirculation in lieu of avascular scar when implanted. The current study evaluated the potential for microvascular constructs to maintain a vascularized tissue environment around an implanted biomaterial. An analysis of the peri‐implant tissue around bare expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), ePTFE embedded within a microvascular construct, or ePTFE embedded within collagen alone revealed that the presence of the MVC, but not collagen alone, promoted vascular densities comparable to that of the granulation tissue formed around bare ePTFE. The vessels within the microvascular construct surrounding the ePTFE were perfusion competent, as determined by India ink perfusion casting, and extended into the interstices of the polymer. In contrast to bare ePTFE, the presence of the MVC or collagen alone significantly reduced the number of activated macrophages in association with ePTFE. Similar results were observed for ePTFE modified to increase cellularity and prevent the formation of an avascular scar. The microvascular construct may prove effective in forming vascularized tissue environments and limiting the number of activated macrophages around implanted polymers thereby leading to effective implant incorporation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Anaphylactoid‐like reactions in a patient with HyperLp(a)lipidemia undergoing LDL apheresis with dextran sulfate adsorption and herbal therapy with the spice turmeric
Authors: Adamski Jill , Jamensky Lita , Ross Joyce , Siegel Don L. , Sachais Bruce S.
Published: August 2010

Elevated Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels are associated with atherosclerosis and are independent risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke [Ariyo et al., N Engl J Med 2003;349:2108–2115; Price et al., Atherosclerosis 2001;157:241–249]. Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐apheresis is the most effective therapy for reducing Lp(a) levels [Parker, Chem Phys Lipids 1994;67–68:331–338; Stefanutti et al., Transfus Apher Sci 2010;42:21–26]. Dextran sulfate‐cellulose adsorption (Liposorber®) removes both LDL and Lp(a) particles with minimal effect on high‐density lipoprotein levels. During the procedure, high levels of bradykinin are generated as the kallikrein‐kinin system is activated by contact with the negatively charged dextran‐sulfate cellulose [Krieter et al., Artif Organs 2005;29:47–52]. Bradykinin is a potent vasodilator and a substrate of the angiotension converting enzyme (ACE). ACE inhibitors are contraindicated for apheresis procedures because these drugs prevent bradykinin degradation, which causes anaphylatoid reactions characterized by hypotension, bradycardia, dyspnea, and flushing [Owen and Brecher, Transfusion 1994;34:891–894]. Turmeric is a yellow spice that is used as an herbal remedy to treat a myriad of conditions ranging from abdominal pain to pulmonary infections. Scientific investigations of the ethnomedicinal properties of curcumin, the major derivative of turmeric, suggest that this compound has anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic properties [Lobo et al., J Pharm Pharmacol 2009;61:13–21]. We report a case of a patient undergoing Liposorber® therapy for treatment of hyperLp(a)lipidemia who had three episodes of anaphylactoid‐like reactions after starting therapy with the spice turmeric. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimizing stem cell culture
Authors: van der Sanden Boudewijn , Dhobb Mehdi , Berger François , Wion Didier
Published: August 2010

Stem cells always balance between self‐renewal and differentiation. Hence, stem cell culture parameters are critical and need to be continuously refined according to progress in our stem cell biology understanding and the latest technological developments. In the past few years, major efforts have been made to define more precisely the medium composition in which stem cells grow or differentiate. This led to the progressive replacement of ill‐defined additives such as serum or feeder cell layers by recombinant cytokines or growth factors. Another example is the control of the oxygen pressure. For many years cell cultures have been done under atmospheric oxygen pressure which is much higher than the one experienced by stem cells in vivo. A consequence of cell metabolism is that cell culture conditions are constantly changing. Therefore, the development of high sensitive monitoring processes and control algorithms is required for ensuring cell culture medium homeostasis. Stem cells also sense the physical constraints of their microenvironment. Rigidity, stiffness, and geometry of the culture substrate influence stem cell fate. Hence, nanotopography is probably as important as medium formulation in the optimization of stem cell culture conditions. Recent advances include the development of synthetic bioinformative substrates designed at the micro‐ and nanoscale level. On going research in many different fields including stem cell biology, nanotechnology, and bioengineering suggest that our current way to culture cells in Petri dish or flasks will soon be outdated as flying across the Atlantic Ocean in the Lindbergh's plane. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 801–807, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CABS‐NMR—De novo tool for rapid global fold determination from chemical shifts, residual dipolar couplings and sparse methyl‐methyl noes
Authors: Latek Dorota , Kolinski Andrzej
Published: August 2010

Recent development of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques provided new types of structural restraints that can be successfully used in fast and low‐cost global protein fold determination. Here, we present CABS‐NMR, an efficient protein modeling tool, which takes advantage of such structural restraints. The restraints are converted from original NMR data to fit the coarse grained protein representation of the C‐Alpha‐Beta‐Side‐group (CABS) algorithm. CABS is a Monte Carlo search algorithm that uses a knowledge‐based force field. Its versatile structure enables a variety of protein‐modeling protocols, including purely de novo folding, folding guided by restraints derived from template structures or, structure assembly based on experimental data. In particular, CABS‐NMR uses the distance and angular restraints set derived from various NMR experiments. This new modeling technique was successfully tested in structure determination of 10 globular proteins of size up to 216 residues, for which sparse NMR data were available. Additional detailed analysis was performed for a S100A1 protein. Namely, we successfully predicted Nuclear Overhauser Effect signals on the basis of low‐energy structures obtained from chemical shifts by CABS‐NMR. It has been observed that utility of chemical shifts and other types of experimental data (i.e. residual dipolar couplings and methyl‐methyl Nuclear Overhauser Effect signals) in the presented modeling pipeline depends mainly on size of a protein and complexity of its topology. In this work, we have provided tools for either post‐experiment processing of various kinds of NMR data or fast and low‐cost structural analysis in the still challenging field of new fold predictions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
A cavernous hemangioma of the thyroid gland: First documentation by ultrasound of a rare pathology
Authors: Gutzeit Andreas , Stuckmann Gerd , Tosoni Ivo , Erdin Dieter , Binkert Christoph A.
Published: August 2010

Hemangioma of the thyroid gland is an extremely rare condition. We report a case of a primary cavernous hemangioma in the left lobe of the thyroid gland in an 84‐year‐old woman. Ultrasound examination of the lesion showed an inhomogeneous and hypoechoic nodule that was well demarcated from the rest of the left lobe and hypovascular on color Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration was performed. The cytologic differential diagnosis included an anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid gland. After hemithyroidectomy, the final diagnosis was a benign hemangioma of the thyroid gland. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011.
Trichloroisocyanuric acid‐catalyzed reaction of indoles: An expeditious synthesis of bis‐indolyl, tris‐indolyl, di(bis‐indolyl), tri(bis‐indolyl), and tetra(bis‐indolyl)methane under solid‐state conditions
Authors: Veisi Hojat , Gholbedaghi Reza , Malakootikhah Javad , Sedrpoushan Alireza , Maleki Behrooz , Kordestani Davood
Published: August 2010

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Trichloroisocyanuric acid is found to be an efficient catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with aldehydes/ketones to afford the corresponding bis‐indolyl, tris‐indolyl, di(bis‐indolyl), tri(bis‐indolyl), and tetra(bis‐indolyl)methanes under solid‐state conditions by pulverization‐activation method at room temperature with excellent yields. The remarkable features of this new procedure are high conversions, shorter reaction times, cleaner reaction profiles, and simple experimental and work‐up procedures. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Persistent neural activity regulates Arc/Arg3.1 transcription in the dentate gyrus
Authors: Toyoda Takeshi , Nomura Hiroshi , Hashikawa Koichi , Nonaka Ayako , Matsuki Norio
Published: August 2010

The activity‐regulated cytoskeleton‐associated gene (Arc, also known as Arg3.1) is an effector immediate‐early gene rapidly induced by strong neural activity. Although a number of studies have revealed significant functions of Arc and Arc has come into widespread use as a neural activity marker in behavioral studies, the mechanisms regulating Arc transcription remain unclear. Here, we examined the conditions of Arc transcription in acute slices of dentate gyrus. Surprisingly, kainic acid (1 μM to 10 mM) application to slices did not induce Arc transcription, although intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid (20 mg/kg) induced robust Arc transcription. No types of high‐frequency stimulation examined induced Arc transcription in acute slices. These findings indicate that Arc transcription is dramatically suppressed in acute slices of the dentate gyrus, in which background neural activity is markedly reduced. Burst stimulation increased the number of Arc‐expressing cells in the presence of picrotoxin, in which excitation was maintained even after the end of stimulation. Moreover, the involvement of background neural activity in Arc transcription was tested by application of carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist. Carbachol also increased the number of Arc‐expressing cells, which was blocked by atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Taken together, these findings suggest that persistent background activity is critical for Arc transcription. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of an unusual cold shock protein from Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chanda Palas K. , Bandhu Amitava , Jana Biswanath , Mondal Rajkrishna , Ganguly Tridib , Sau Keya , Lee Chia Y. , Chakrabarti Gopal , Sau Subrata
Published: August 2010

Of the three cold shock proteins expressed by Staphylococcus aureus, CspC is induced poorly by cold but strongly by various antibiotics and toxic chemicals. Using a purified CspC, here we demonstrate that it exists as a monomer in solution, possesses primarily β‐sheets, and bears substantial structural similarity with other bacterial Csps. Aggregation of CspC was initiated rapidly at temperatures above 40 °C, whereas, the Gibbs free energy of stabilization of CspC at 0 M GdmCl was estimated to be +1.6 kcal mol–1, indicating a less stable protein. Surprisingly, CspC showed stable binding with ssDNA carrying a stretch of more than three thymine bases and binding with such ssDNA had not only stabilized CspC against proteolytic degradation but also quenched the fluorescence intensity from its exposed Trp residue. Analysis of quenching data indicates that each CspC molecule binds with ∼5 contiguous thymine bases of the above ssDNA and binding is cooperative in nature. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Inorganic binding peptide‐mediated immobilization based on baculovirus surface display system
Authors: Song Lei , Liu Yingying , Chen Jinchun
Published: August 2010

The biomolecule‐mediated assembly of novel composites has been the subject of numerous investigations during the last years, providing new insights into material science and engineering. Via molecular biology technology, we were able to introduce the genetically engineered polypeptide for inorganics (GEPI) as a molecular binder into biomolecules such as phage viruses, to assemble hybrid functional nanoarchitectures. In the present work, we introduced a novel nanocomposite comprising the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) and nanoparticles bound to it. Our results show that a GEPI‐encoding gene was successfully introduced by recombination into a eukaryotic expression bacmid and finally displayed outside of the AcNPV after transfection into Sf9 insect cells using the Bac‐to‐Bac baculovirus expression system. The recombinant baculovirus maintained both the viral infectivity and the specific binding activity of the GEPI. The construction of the gene in the recombinant plasmid was examined by polymerase chain reaction analysis and enzymatic digestion identification, and verified by gene sequencing. Surface display of the fused peptide was revealed by Western blot analysis in dissolution studies and determined by immuno‐ gold electron microscopy. Adherence of nanoparticles to the recombinant baculovirus was visualized by transmission electron microscopy analysis. Here, we demonstrated the possibilities of combining peptide‐mediated immobilization with baculovirus surface display technology. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Transcription factor Stb5p is essential for acetaldehyde tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Matsufuji Yoshimi , Nakagawa Tomoyuki , Fujimura Shuki , Tani Akio , Nakagawa Junichi
Published: August 2010

Transcription factor Stb5p, previously known as one of the multidrug resistance gene regulators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was shown here to play an essential role in acetaldehyde tolerance. A mutant strain, Δstb5 exhibited increased acetaldehyde sensitivity, and failed to induce genes such as GND1, TKL1 and TAL1 involved in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) upon acetaldehyde stress. Using this strain it was revealed that Stb5p acts as a repressor for PGI1 encoding glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase under acetaldehyde stress. In reverse, over‐expression of Stb5p reinforced acetaldehyde tolerance to the yeast. Furthermore, various deletion mutants of the genes involved in glycolysis showed increased acetaldehyde tolerance compared to the wild‐type strain. From these results, it was suggested that Stb5p participates in acetaldehyde tolerance by regulating expression of the PPP genes and PGI1, and that down‐regulation of glycolytic pathway may lead to vitalization of PPP and to increased acetaldehyde tolerance. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)