bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Laurene‐Type Sesquiterpenes from the Red Sea Red Alga Laurencia obtusa as Potential Antitumor—Antimicrobial Agents.
Authors: Alarif Walied M. , Al‐Lihaibi Sultan S. , Ayyad Seif‐Eldin N. , Abdel‐Rhman Mohamed H. , Badria Farid A.
Published: February 2013

Three new laurene‐type sesquiterpenes (I) and (II) are isolated from the organic extract of the red alga Laurencia obtusa.
ChemInform Abstract: Structure Elucidation of Submilligram Quantities of Natural Products — Application to Haliclamines G and H from the Arctic Marine Sponge Haliclona viscosa.
Authors: Cychon Christine , Schmidt Gesine , Mordhorst Thorsten , Koeck Matthias
Published: February 2013

Two new haliclamines (I) are identified directly from the crude extract of an arctic sponge using improved chromatographic conditions and detailed knowledge about the fragmentation pattern of haliclamines.
ChemInform Abstract: Concise Synthesis of Ximenynic Acid.
Authors: Wang Lutai , Li Jiabin , Xue Xiaowen
Published: February 2013

An improved synthesis of ximenynic acid (II) from castor oil is developed involving the direct chlorination of ricinstearolic acid (I) as the key step.
ChemInform Abstract: Effects of Surface Pinning, Locking, and Adaption of Twins on the Performance of Magnetic Shape‐Memory Alloys
Authors: Chmielus Markus , Mullner Peter
Published: February 2013

Review: 82 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Vinyl Triflates Derived from 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds and Analogues: Access and Applications to Organic Synthesis
Authors: Chassaing Stefan , Specklin Simon , Weibel Jean‐Marc , Pale Patrick
Published: February 2013

Review: 121 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Progress of Core‐Substituted Naphthalenediimides: Highlights from 2010
Authors: Bhosale Sheshanath V. , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: February 2013

Review: 85 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Polypeptides by Ring‐Opening Polymerization of α‐Amino Acid N‐Carboxyanhydrides
Authors: Cheng Jianjun , Deming Timothy J.
Published: February 2013

Review: 70 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Stereoselective Reactions of Organoselenium Reagents Including Catalysis
Authors: Singh Fateh V. , Wirth Thomas
Published: February 2013

Review: 254 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Cyclodextrin‐Based Rotaxanes
Authors: Girek Tomasz
Published: February 2013

Review: 100 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Always Cholesterics...but Sometimes Chiral Smectic C, TGB and Blue Phases
Authors: Chilaya Guram
Published: February 2013

Review: 134 refs.
Diagnostic value of tumor markers in lung adenocarcinoma‐associated cytologically negative pleural effusions
Authors: Hsieh Tsung‐Cheng , Huang Wen‐Wei , Lai Chun‐Liang , Tsao Shih‐Ming , Su Cheng‐Chuan
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND

Cytology fails to detect neoplastic cells in approximately 40% to 50% of malignant pleural effusions (PEs), which commonly accompany lung adenocarcinomas. The diagnostic accuracy of various tumor markers in lung adenocarcinoma‐associated cytologically negative pleural effusions (LAC‐CNPEs) has been poor. The current study attempted to maximize diagnostic efforts in distinguishing LAC‐CNPEs from benign PEs.

METHODS

PE samples were collected from 74 patients with lung adenocarcinoma with associated cytologically positive (41 patients) and negative (33 patients) PEs, and from 99 patients with benign conditions including tuberculosis (26 patients), pneumonia (28 patients), congestive heart failure (25 patients), and cirrhosis (20 patients). The authors evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity and optimal cutoff points for the tumor markers HER2/neu, CYFRA 21‐1, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to distinguish LAC‐CNPEs from benign PEs.

RESULTS

Mean levels of HER2/neu, CYRFA 21‐1, and CEA were found to be significantly higher in LAC‐CNPEs compared with benign PEs (P = .0050, P = .0039, and P < .0001, respectively). The cutoff points for HER2/neu, CYFRA 21‐1, and CEA were optimally set at 3.6 ng/mL, 60 ng/mL, and 6.0 ng/mL, respectively. Their sensitivities ranged from 12.1%, to 30.3%, to 63.6%, respectively. CEA combined with CYFRA 21‐1 increased diagnostic sensitivity to 66.7%. The false‐positive rates of these markers in benign PEs were 6.1%, 2.0%, and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of CEA with CYFRA 21‐1 appears to provide the best differentiation between LAC‐CNPEs and benign PEs to date using 2 tumor markers, and allows for the early diagnosis and early treatment of approximately two‐thirds of affected patients. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:483–8. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Bipotency of thymic epithelial progenitors comes in sequence
Authors: Peterson Pärt , Laan Martti
Published: February 2013

In the thymus, in order to become MHC‐restricted self‐tolerant T cells, developing thymocytes need to interact with cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Although the presence of a common bipotent progenitor for these functionally and structurally distinct epithelial subsets has been clearly established, the initial developmental stages of these bipotent cells have not been well characterized. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Baik et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2013.43: 589–594] focus on the phenotypical changes of the early bipotent populations and show how the cortical and medullary markers are sequentially acquired during TEC development. These findings argue against a binary model in which both cortical and medullary lineages diverge simultaneously from lineage‐negative TEC progenitors and highlight an unexpected overlap in the phenotypic properties of these bipotent TECs with their lineage‐restricted counterparts.
[2.2]Paracyclophane–Triazolyl Monophosphane Ligands: Synthesis and Their Copper and Palladium Complexes
Authors: Austeri Martina , Enders Mirja , Nieger Martin , Bräse Stefan
Published: February 2013

Triazole‐based phosphanes have recently been shown to be interesting ligands in organometallic catalysis. The synthesis of novel [2.2]paracyclophane‐substituted triazole‐based phosphane ligands was achieved. The possibility to synthesize these molecules in a highly enantioenriched form is also reported. Moreover, the ability of the novel ligands to coordinate with metal centers was explored. Besides a dinuclear copper complex, a PdII complex could also be isolated, the structure of which was characterized by X‐ray analysis. PdII complexes derived from these ligands provide highly active catalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of aryl chlorides.
Preparation and evaluation of a hydrophilic poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide) monolithic column for pressurized capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Cheng Jintian , Chen Xiadi , Cai Yimin , He Yu , Chen Zongbao , Lin Zian , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2013

A polar polymethacrylate‐based monolithic column was introduced and evaluated as a hydrophilic interaction CEC stationary phase. The monolithic stationary phase was prepared by in situ copolymerization of a neutral monomer 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and a polar cross‐linker N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide in a binary porogenic solvent consisting of dodecyl alcohol and toluene. The hydroxyl and amino groups at the surface of the monolithic stationary phase provided polar sites which were responsible for hydrophilic interactions. The composition and proportion of the polymerization mixture was investigated in detail. The mechanical stability and reproducibility of the obtained monolithic column preformed was satisfied. The effects of pH and organic solvent content on the EOF and the separation of amines, nucleosides, and narcotics on the optimized monolithic column were investigated. A typical hydrophilic interaction CEC was observed on the neutral polar stationary phase. The optimized monolithic column can obtain high‐column efficiencies with 62 000–126 000 theoretical plates/m and the RSDs of column‐to‐column (n = 9), run‐to‐run (n = 5), and day‐to‐day (n = 3) reproducibility were less than 6.3%. The calibration curves of these five narcotics exhibited good linearity with R in the range of 0.9959–0.9970 and linear ranges of 1.0–200.0 μg/mL. The detection limits at S/N = 3 were between 0.2 and 1.2 μg/mL. The recoveries of the separation of narcotics on the column were in the range of 84.0–108.6%. The good mechanical stability, reproducibility, and quantitation capacity was suitable for pressure‐assisted CEC applications.
New single isomer negatively charged β‐cyclodextrin derivatives as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Boonleang Jutima , Stobaugh John F.
Published: February 2013

To improve resolution power of chiral selector and enantiomeric peak efficiency in CE, single isomer negatively charged β‐CD derivatives, mono(6‐deoxy‐6‐sulfoethylthio)‐β‐CD (SET‐β‐CD) bearing one negative charge and mono[6‐deoxy‐6‐(6‐sulfooxy‐5,5‐bis‐sulfooxymethyl)hexylthio]‐β‐CD (SMHT‐β‐CD) carrying three negative charges, were synthesized. The structure of these two β‐CD derivatives was confirmed by 1H NMR and MS. SET‐β‐CD and SMHT‐β‐CD successfully resolved the enantiomers of several basic model compounds. SMHT‐β‐CD provided for a significantly greater enantioseparation than SET‐β‐CD at lower concentrations. This appears to be due to the higher binding affinity of SMHT‐β‐CD to the model compounds and the wider separation window resulting from an increased countercurrent mobility of the selector. Overall, the new chiral selectors provided enantioseparations with high peak efficiency while avoiding peak distortion due to polydispersive and electrodispersive effects. The information obtained from an apparent binding constant study suggested that the enantioseparation of the model compounds followed the predictions of charged resolving agent migration model and that the observed degree of enantioseparation difference were due to the magnitude of differences in both enantiomer‐chiral selector binding affinities (ΔK) and the mobilities of the complexed enantiomers (Δμc).
Better management of Western blotting results using professional photo management software
Authors: Iorio‐Morin Christian , Germain Pascale , Parent Jean‐Luc
Published: February 2013

Western blotting is a proven technique essential to a significant proportion of molecular biology projects. However, as results accumulate over the years, managing data can become daunting. Recognizing that the needs of a scientist working with Western blotting results are conceptually the same as those of a professional photographer managing a summer's worth of wedding photos, we report here a new workflow for managing Western blotting results using professional photo management software. The workflow involves (i) scanning all film‐based results; (ii) importing the scans into the software; (iii) processing the scans; (iv) tagging the files with metadata, and (v) creating appropriate “smart‐albums.” Advantages of this system include space savings (both on our hard drives and on our desks), safer archival, quicker access, and easier sharing of the results. In addition, metadata‐based workflows improve cross‐experiment discovery and enable questions like “show me all blots labelled with antibody X” or “show me all experiments featuring protein Y”. As project size and breadth increase, workflows delegating results management to the computer will become more and more important so that scientists can keep focussing on science.
The parahippocampal gyrus links the default‐mode cortical network with the medial temporal lobe memory system
Authors: Ward Andrew M. , Schultz Aaron P. , Huijbers Willem , Van Dijk Koene R.A. , Hedden Trey , Sperling Reisa A.
Published: February 2013

The default‐mode network (DMN) is a distributed functional‐anatomic network implicated in supporting memory. Current resting‐state functional connectivity studies in humans remain divided on the exact involvement of medial temporal lobe (MTL) in this network at rest. Notably, it is unclear to what extent the MTL regions involved in successful memory encoding are connected to the cortical nodes of the DMN during resting state. Our findings using functional connectivity MRI analyses of resting‐state data indicate that the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) is the primary hub of the DMN in the MTL during resting state. Also, connectivity of the PHG is distinct from connectivity of hippocampal regions identified by an associative memory‐encoding task. We confirmed that several hippocampal encoding regions lack significant functional connectivity with cortical DMN nodes during resting state. Additionally, a mediation analysis showed that resting‐state connectivity between the hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex—a major hub of the DMN—is indirect and mediated by the PHG. Our findings support the hypothesis that the MTL memory system represents a functional subnetwork that relates to the cortical nodes of the DMN through parahippocampal functional connections. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1061–1073, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Template‐based approach for detecting motor task activation‐related hyperperfusion in pulsed ASL data
Authors: Petr Jan , Ferré Jean‐Christophe , Raoult Hélène , Bannier Elise , Gauvrit Jean‐Yves , Barillot Christian
Published: February 2013

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) permits the noninvasive measurement of quantitative values of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and is thus well adapted to study inter‐ and intrasubject perfusion variations whether at rest or during an fMRI task. In this study, a template approach to detect brain activation as a CBF difference between resting and activated groups was compared with a standard generalized linear model (GLM) analysis. A basal perfusion template of PICORE‐Q2TIPS ASL images acquired at 3T from a group of 25 healthy subjects (mean age 31.6 ± 8.3 years) was created. The second group of 12 healthy subjects (mean age 28.6 ± 2.7 years) performed a block‐design motor task. The template was compared with the mean activated image of the second group both at the individual and at the group level to extract activation maps. The results obtained using a GLM analysis of the whole sequence was used as ground truth for comparison. The influences of spatial normalization using DARTEL registration and of correction of partial volume effects (PVE) in the construction of the template were assessed. Results showed that a basal perfusion template can detect activation‐related hyperperfusion in motor areas. The true positive ratio was increased by 2.5% using PVE‐correction and by 3.2% using PVE‐correction with DARTEL registration. On average, the group comparison presented a 2.2% higher true positive ratio than the one‐to‐many comparison. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1179–1189, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ASC/caspase-1/IL-1β signaling triggers inflammatory responses by promoting HMGB1 induction in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Kamo Naoko , Ke Bibo , Ghaffari Amir A. , Shen Xiu-da , Busuttil Ronald W. , Cheng Genhong , Kupiec-Weglinski Jerzy W.
Published: February 2013

Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), an adaptor protein for inflammasome receptors, is essential for inducing caspase-1 activation and the consequent secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which is associated with local inflammation during liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). However, little is known about the mechanisms by which the ASC/caspase-1/IL-1β axis exerts its function in hepatic IRI. This study was designed to explore the functional roles and molecular mechanisms of ASC/caspase-1/IL-1β signaling in the regulation of inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. With a partial lobar liver warm ischemia (90 minutes) model, ASC-deficient and wild-type mice (C57BL/6) were sacrificed at 6 hours of reperfusion. Separate animal cohorts were treated with an anti–IL-1β antibody or control immunoglobulin G (10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally). We found that ASC deficiency inhibited caspase-1/IL-1β signaling and led to protection against liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) damage, local enhancement of antiapoptotic functions, and down-regulation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)–mediated, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)–driven inflammation. Interestingly, the treatment of ASC-deficient mice with recombinant HMGB1 re-created liver IRI. Moreover, neutralization of IL-1β ameliorated the hepatocellular damage by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/cyclooxygenase 2 signaling in IR-stressed livers. In parallel in vitro studies, the knockout of ASC in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated bone marrow–derived macrophages depressed HMGB1 activity via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and led to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB and ultimately the depression of proinflammatory cytokine programs. Conclusion: ASC-mediated caspase-1/IL-1β signaling promotes HMGB1 to produce a TLR4-dependent inflammatory phenotype and leads to hepatocellular injury. Hence, ASC/caspase-1/IL-1β signaling mediates the inflammatory response by triggering HMGB1 induction in hepatic IRI. Our findings provide a rationale for a novel therapeutic strategy for managing liver injury due to IR. (HEPATOLOGY 2013)
Global river hydrography and network routing: baseline data and new approaches to study the world's large river systems
Authors: Lehner Bernhard , Grill Günther
Published: February 2013

Despite significant recent advancements, global hydrological models and their input databases still show limited capabilities in supporting many spatially detailed research questions and integrated assessments, such as required in freshwater ecology or applied water resources management. In order to address these challenges, the scientific community needs to create improved large‐scale datasets and more flexible data structures that enable the integration of information across and within spatial scales; develop new and advanced models that support the assessment of longitudinal and lateral hydrological connectivity; and provide an accessible modeling environment for researchers, decision makers, and practitioners. As a contribution, we here present a new modeling framework that integrates hydrographic baseline data at a global scale (enhanced HydroSHEDS layers and coupled datasets) with new modeling tools, specifically a river network routing model (HydroROUT) that is currently under development. The resulting ‘hydro‐spatial fabric’ is designed to provide an avenue for advanced hydro‐ecological applications at large scales in a consistent and highly versatile way. Preliminary results from case studies to assess human impacts on water quality and the effects of dams on river fragmentation and downstream flow regulation illustrate the potential of this combined data‐and‐modeling framework to conduct novel research in the fields of aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, geo‐statistical modeling, or pollution and health risk assessments. The global scale outcomes are at a previously unachieved spatial resolution of 500 m and can thus support local planning and decision making in many of the world's large river basins. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Curve‐Number/Green–Ampt mixed procedure for streamflow predictions in ungauged basins: Parameter sensitivity analysis
Authors: Grimaldi S. , Petroselli A. , Romano N.
Published: February 2013

A procedure combining the Soil Conservation Service‐Curve Number (SCS‐CN) method and the Green–Ampt (GA) infiltration equation was recently developed to overcome some of the drawbacks of the classic SCS‐CN approach when estimating the volume of surface runoff at a sub‐daily time resolution. The rationale of this mixed procedure, named Curve Number for Green–Ampt (CN4GA), is to use the GA infiltration model to distribute the total volume of the net hyetograph (rainfall excess) provided by the SCS‐CN method over time. The initial abstraction and the total volume of rainfall given by the SCS‐CN method are used to identify the ponding time and to quantify the hydraulic conductivity parameter of the GA equation. In this paper, a sensitivity analysis of the mixed CN4GA parameters is presented with the aim to identify conditions where the mixed procedure can be effectively used within the Prediction in Ungauged Basin perspective. The effects exerted by changes in selected input parameters on the outputs are evaluated using rectangular and triangular synthetic hyetographs as well as 100 maximum annual storms selected from synthetic rainfall time series. When applied to extreme precipitation events, which are characterized by predominant peaks of rainfall, the CN4GA appears to be rather insensitive to the input hydraulic parameters of the soil, which is an interesting feature of the CN4GA approach and makes it an ideal candidate for the rainfall excess estimation at sub‐daily temporal resolution at ungauged sites. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anal squamous intraepithelial lesions are frequent among young HIV‐infected men who have sex with men followed up at the Spanish AIDS Research Network Cohort (CoRIS‐HPV)
Authors: González Cristina , Torres Montserrat , Benito Amparo , del Romero Jorge , Rodríguez Carmen , Fontillón María , Trastoy Mónica , Viciana Pompeyo , del Amo Julia , Ortiz Marta , Hernández‐Novoa Beatriz ,   CoRIS‐HPV Study Group
Published: February 2013

The aim of our study was to determine the baseline prevalence of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and associated risk factors in HIV‐infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in a Spanish ongoing multicenter cohort. CoRIS‐HPV started in 2007, nested in the Spanish AIDS Research Network Cohort (CoRIS). Anal liquid cytology testing was performed. High‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection was determined, and positive samples were genotyped. We analyzed all subjects up to April 2011. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 551 subjects with baseline anal liquid cytologies were analyzed; 37.0% negative for intraepithelial lesion, 9.0% atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS), 41.0% low‐grade SIL, 4.0% high‐grade SIL and 9.0% inadequate. Prevalence of anal SIL (excluding ASCUS) in valid samples (n = 450) was 54.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 49.9–59.3). Globally HR‐HPV prevalence was 81.7% (95% CI = 78.0–85.2). Multiple infections (≥2 HR‐HPV genotypes) were documented in 77.7% (95% CI = 73.1–82.0). The only risk factor associated with anal SIL was the number of HR‐HPV types; MSM with five or more HR‐HPV genotypes had an odds ratio (OR) of anal SIL seven times greater (OR = 7.4; 95% CI = 2.8–19.6) than those with one HR‐HPV genotype. No associations were found for age, educational level, smoking, geographical origin, CD4 T‐cell count, antiretroviral treatment or number of sexual partners. The prevalence of anal SIL in young HIV‐positive MSM is high, and the main risk factor is multiple infections with HR‐HPV types.
In vivo efficacy of melanoma internal radionuclide therapy with a 131I‐labelled melanin‐targeting heteroarylcarboxamide molecule
Authors: Degoul Françoise , Borel Michèle , Jacquemot Nathalie , Besse Sophie , Communal Yves , Mishellany Florence , Papon Janine , Penault‐Llorca Frédérique , Donnarieix Denise , Doly Michel , Maigne Lydia , Miot‐Noirault Elisabeth , Cayre Anne , Cluzel Jacques , Moins Nicole , Chezal Jean‐Michel , Bonnet Mathilde
Published: February 2013

The development of alternative therapies for melanoma treatment is of great interest as long‐term tumour regression is not achieved with new targeted chemotherapies on selected patients. We previously demonstrated that radioiodinated heteroarylcarboxamide ([131I]ICF01012) induced a strong anti‐tumoural effect by inhibiting both primary tumour growth and dissemination process in a B16BL6 melanoma model. In our study, we show that a single injection of [131I]ICF01012 (ranging from 14.8 to 22.2 MBq) was effective and associated with low and transient haematological toxicity. Concerning pigmented organs, cutaneous melanocytes and skin were undamaged. In 30% of treated animals, no histological alteration of retina was observed, and in the remaining 70%, damages were restricted to the optic nerve area. Using the Medical Internal Radiation Dose methodology, we determined that the absorbed dose in major organs is very low (<4 Gy) and that a delivery of 30 Gy to the tumour is sufficient for an effective anti‐tumoural response. Molecular analyses of treated tumours showed a strong radiobiological effect with a decrease in proliferation, survival and pro‐angiogenic‐related markers and an increase in tumour suppressor gene expression, melanogenesis and anti‐angiogenic markers. All these features are in accordance with a tumour cell death mechanism that mainly occurs by mitotic catastrophe and provide a better understanding of in vivo anti‐tumoural effects of [131I] radionuclide. Our findings raise [131I]ICF01012 a good candidate for disseminated melanoma treatment and strongly support transfer of [131I]ICF01012 to clinical trial.
Chemopreventive effect of a novel oleanane triterpenoid in a chemically induced rodent model of breast cancer
Authors: Bishayee Anupam , Mandal Animesh , Thoppil Roslin J. , Darvesh Altaf S. , Bhatia Deepak
Published: February 2013

Breast cancer represents one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and predominant causes of death in women worldwide. The value of preventive therapy to limit the devastating impact of breast cancer is well established. Various plant triterpenoids and their synthetic analogs have shown significant promise as potent chemopreventive agents in breast cancer. The current study was initiated to investigate mechanism‐based chemopreventive potential of a novel synthetic oleanane triterpenoid (methyl‐25‐hydroxy‐3‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐28‐oate, AMR‐Me) against 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)‐initiated rat mammary carcinogenesis, an experimental rodent tumor model that closely resembles human mammary cancer. Rats were orally administered with AMR‐Me (0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 mg/kg) three times per week for 18 weeks. Following two weeks of AMR‐Me treatment, mammary carcinogenesis was initiated by oral administration of DMBA (50 mg/kg body weight). At the end of the study (16 weeks following DMBA exposure), AMR‐Me exhibited a striking inhibition of DMBA‐induced mammary tumor incidence, total tumor burden, average tumor weight and reversed histopathological alterations without toxicity. AMR‐Me dose‐dependently suppressed abnormal cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, up‐regulated pro‐apoptotic protein Bax and down‐regulated antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2 in mammary tumors. AMR‐Me upregulated the transcriptional levels of Bax, Bad, caspase‐3, caspase‐7 and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase and down‐regulated Bcl‐2. These results clearly demonstrate for the first time that novel triterpenoid AMR‐Me exerts chemopreventive efficacy in the classical DMBA model of breast cancer by suppressing abnormal cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis mediated through mitochondrial pro‐apoptotic mechanisms. AMR‐Me could be developed as a chemopreventive drug to reduce the risk of human breast cancer that remains a devastating disease.
Effects of valganciclovir as an add‐on therapy in patients with cytomegalovirus‐positive glioblastoma: A randomized, double‐blind, hypothesis‐generating study
Authors: Stragliotto Giuseppe , Rahbar Afsar , Solberg Nina Wolmer , Lilja Anders , Taher Chato , Orrego Abiel , Bjurman Birgitta , Tammik Charlotte , Skarman Petra , Peredo Inti , Söderberg‐Nauclér Cecilia
Published: February 2013

Cytomegalovirus is highly prevalent in glioblastomas. In 2006, we initiated a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, hypothesis‐generating study to examine the safety and potential efficacy of Valganciclovir as an add‐on therapy for glioblastoma. Forty‐two glioblastoma patients were randomized in double‐blind fashion to receive Valganciclovir or placebo in addition to standard therapy for 6 months. Magnetic resonance images were obtained before and immediately and 3 and 6 months after surgery to evaluate treatment efficacy by measuring contrast enhancing tumor volume (primary end point). Survival data were analyzed for patients and controls in explorative analyses to aid the design of future randomized trials. Trends but no significant differences were observed in tumor volumes in Valganciclovir and placebo patients at 3 (3.58 vs. 7.44 cm3, respectively, p = 0.2881) and 6 (3.31 vs. 13.75 cm3, p = 0.2120) months. Median overall survival (OS) was similar in both groups (17.9 vs. 17.4 months, p = 0.430). Patients could take Valganciclovir for compassionate use after the study phase. Explorative analyses showed an OS of 24.1 months (95% CI, 17.4–40.3) in patients receiving >6 months of Valganciclovir (Val > 6M) versus 13.1 months (95% CI, 7.9–17.7, p < 0.0001) in patients receiving Valganciclovir for 0 or <6 months, and 13.7 months (95% CI, 6.9–17.3, p = 0.0031) in contemporary controls. OS at 4 years was 27.3% in Val>6M patients versus 5.9% in controls (p = 0.0466). Prolonged OS in Val>6M patients suggest that future randomized trials are warranted and should evaluate whether continuous antiviral treatment can improve outcome in glioblastoma patients.
Non‐iterative reconstruction with a prior for undersampled radial MRI data
Authors: Zeng Gengsheng L. , Li Ya , DiBella Edward V. R.
Published: February 2013

This paper develops an FBP‐MAP (filtered backprojection, maximum a posteriori) algorithm to reconstruct MRI images from undersampled data. An objective function is first set up for the MRI reconstruction problem with a data fidelity term and a Bayesian term. The Bayesian term is a constraint in the temporal dimension. This objective function is minimized using the calculus of variations. The proposed algorithm is non‐iterative. Undersampled dynamic myocardial perfusion MRI data were used to test the feasibility of the proposed technique. It is shown that the non‐iterative Fourier–Bayesian reconstruction method effectively incorporates the temporal constraint and significantly reduces the angular aliasing artifacts caused by undersampling. A significant advantage of the proposed non‐iterative Fourier–Bayesian technique over the iterative techniques is its fast computation time and its ability to reach the optimal solution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 53–58, 2013.
Particle filtering based pitch sequence correction for monaural speech segregation
Authors: Kim Han‐Gyu , Jang Gil‐Jin , Park Jeong‐Sik , Kim Ji‐Hwan , Oh Yung‐Hwan
Published: February 2013

This article proposes a novel speech and sound segregation framework incorporating a technique for correcting a series of pitch periods based on particle filtering. The conventional pitch track correction method finds the peak locations of the autocorrelation functions to estimate the pitch period, and only the longest reliable pitch streak is used to correct unreliable pitch tracks. Especially in noisy environments, it is hard to find long and reliable pitch streaks, resulting in the degradation of the speech segregation performance. The proposed algorithm based on particle filtering considers all the reliable pitch streaks rather than the longest one and smoothly connects the scattered pitch streaks. To apply the particle filtering algorithm to pitch track correction, the importance weight computation to account for the degree of matchness of the found pitch to the individual spectro‐temporal components is also proposed. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by the results of speech segregation experiments for the mixtures of speech and various noise sources in various mixing signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs). The evaluation measures were SNR, energy loss ratio, and noise residue ratio of the segregated speech, and all these measures showed that the proposed segregation method achieved superior performance compared to the conventional approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 64–70, 2013.
Potential and frequency effects on fretting corrosion of Ti6Al4V and CoCrMo surfaces
Authors: Swaminathan Viswanathan , Gilbert Jeremy L.
Published: February 2013

Fretting corrosion has been reported at the metal–metal interfaces of a wide range of medical devices, including total joint replacements, spinal devices, and overlapping cardiovascular stents. Currently, the fretting corrosion phenomenon associated with metal‐on‐metal contacts is not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of potential and fretting frequency on the fretting corrosion performance of Ti6Al4V/Ti6Al4V, Ti6Al4V/CoCrMo, and CoCrMo/CoCrMo alloy combinations at fixed normal load and displacement conditions using a custom built fretting corrosion test system. The results showed that the fretting current densities increased with increases in potential and were highest for Ti6Al4V/Ti6Al4V couple (1.5 mA/cm2 at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The coefficient of friction varied with potential and was about two times higher for Ti6Al4V/Ti6Al4V (0.71 V at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl). In most of the potential range tested, the fretting corrosion behavior of CoCrMo/Ti6Al4V and CoCrMo/CoCrMo was similar and dominated by the CoCrMo surface. Increase in applied fretting frequency linearly increased the fretting current densities in the regions where the passive film is stable. Also, the model‐based fretting current densities were in excellent agreement with the experimental results. Overall, Ti6Al4V/Ti6Al4V couple was more susceptible to fretting corrosion compared with other couples. However, the effects of these processes on the biological system were not assessed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 2602–2612, 2013.
Exact ligand cone angles
Authors: Bilbrey Jenna A. , Kazez Arianna H. , Locklin Jason , Allen Wesley D.
Published: February 2013

Many properties of transition‐metal complexes depend on the steric bulk of bound ligands, usually quantified by the Tolman (θ) and solid (θ) cone angles, which have proven utility but suffer from various limitations and coarse approximations. Here, we present an improved, mathematically rigorous method to determine an exact cone angle (θ°) by solving for the most acute right circular cone that contains the entire ligand. The procedure is applicable to any ligand, planar or nonplanar, monodentate or polydentate, bound to any metal center in any environment, and it is ideal for analyzing structures from quantum chemical computations as well as X‐ray crystallography experiments. Exact cone angles were evaluated for a wide array of phosphine and amine ligands bound to palladium, nickel, or platinum by optimizing structures using B3LYP/6‐31G* density functional theory with effective core potentials for the transition metals. The mean absolute deviations of the standard θ and θ parameters from the exact cone angles were 15–25°, mostly caused by distortions from the assumed idealized structures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Leaching of platinum group metals (PGMs) from spent automotive catalyst using electro‐generated chlorine inHClsolution
Authors: Upadhyay Arun K. , Lee Jae‐chun , Kim Eun‐young , Kim Min‐seuk , Kim Byung‐Su , Kumar Vinay
Published: February 2013

Background

In order to conserve resources without affecting the environment, an energy efficient leaching process has been studied to recover platinum group metals (PGMs) from spent automotive catalyst using electro‐generated chlorine as a strong oxidant in a separate reactor.

Results

The different process parameters studied showed an increase in the dissolution ofPGMs(Pt, Pd, Rh) withHClconcentration, current density, time, and temperature but not pulp density. Leaching efficiencies of 71% Pt, 68% Pd and 60% Rh were obtained under the optimized conditions of 6.0 mol L−1HCl, 714 A m−2current density, 363 K, 20 g L−1pulp density, 700 rpm agitation speed. ThePGMsdissolution kinetics followed ash diffusion control with activation energies for Pt, Pd and Rh of 29.6, 26.4, 20.6 inkJmol−1, respectively over the temperature range 298–363 K. The leaching studies carried out after treatment with 20% formic acid at room temperature showed a remarkable increase in dissolution efficiencies to 97% Pt, 94% Pd and 90% Rh.

Conclusions

A process for the leaching ofPGMsusing electro‐generated chlorine showed almost total dissolution ofPGMsin hydrochloric acid solution after pretreatment of the spent automotive catalyst with formic acid. The proposed leaching system is eco‐friendly and has high leaching ability forPGMsfrom spent materials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Methane production via anaerobic digestion of glycerol: a comparison of conventional (CSTR) and high‐rate (PABR) digesters
Authors: Vlassis T. , Stamatelatou K. , Antonopoulou G. , Lyberatos G.
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND

Biodiesel is an alternative to fossil fuels and can be used directly in internal combustion engines when mixed with diesel. The economic feasibility of biodiesel production necessitates the valorisation of glycerol, which is produced in large quantities (equal to 10% of the biodiesel produced). Anaerobic digestion is applicable to a variety of organic residues yielding biogas rich in methane. In order to estimate the net potential of glycerol to yield methane, pure glycerol was selected to avoid any effect from the impurities in crude glycerol.

RESULTS

The anaerobic digestion of pure glycerol was studied in two types of bioreactors: a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a baffled reactor (periodic anaerobic baffled reactor, PABR). Both reactors were operated in mesophilic conditions (35 °C) at various organic loading rates. The maximum glycerol loading achieved in a CSTR was 0.25 g COD L–1 d–1, yielding 0.074 ± 0.009 L CH4 L–1 d–1. On the other hand, PABR allowed glycerol degradation at a loading of 3 g COD L–1 d–1 yielding 0.993 ± 0.102 L CH4 L–1 d–1.

CONCLUSION

PABR was proved to be more efficient since it was subjected to a 10‐fold higher organic loading rate than CSTR. Moreover, its performance was much higher in terms of COD removal and methane productivity. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
MR imaging of renal collecting system with gadoxetate disodium: Feasibility for MR urography
Authors: Dym R. Joshua , Chernyak Victoria , Rozenblit Alla M.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

To determine the feasibility of using gadoxetate disodium for MR urography.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 50 consecutive gadoxetate disodium‐enhanced abdominal MRI examinations meeting inclusion criteria. For each examination, 30 min postcontrast hepatobiliary phase sequences were reviewed to assess bilateral collecting system segments, including upper pole, interpolar, and lower pole calyces; renal pelvis; and proximal one‐third of ureter. Each segment was assessed for degree of opacification (none, <50%, ≥50%, complete) and susceptibility artifact (none, partial thin rim, thick/complete rim, total obscuration). Opacification and susceptibility scores were also calculated for each examination.

Results

The 50 reviewed examinations were performed on 46 patients (26 women, 20 men; mean age, 57 years) and included a total of 1000 segments. Of these, 808 (80.8%) were opacified completely, 103 (10.3%) were opacified ≥50%, 39 (3.9%) were opacified <50%, and 50 (5.0%) were not opacified. Of 1000 segments, no susceptibility artifact was present in 822 (82.2%), while a partial thin rim was present in 113 (11.3%), a thick/complete rim in 64 (6.4%) and total obscuration in 1 (0.1%).

Conclusion

Gadoxetate disodium contrast produced a high degree of opacification of the proximal urinary collecting system with low incidence of susceptibility artifact; therefore, it is a feasible contrast agent for MR urography. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:816–823. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Operational dissection of β‐amyloid cytopathic effects on cultured neurons
Authors: Callizot Noelle , Combes Maud , Steinschneider Rémy , Poindron Philippe
Published: February 2013

Alzheimer disease (AD) affects mainly people over the age of 65 years, suffering from different clinical symptoms such as progressive decline in memory, thinking, language, and learning capacity. The toxic role of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) has now shifted from insoluble Aβ fibrils to smaller, soluble oligomeric Aβ aggregates. The urgent need for efficient new therapies is high; robust models dissecting the physiopathological aspects of the disease are needed. We present here a model allowing study of four cytopathic effects of Aβ oligomers (AβO): oxidative stress, loss of synapses, disorganization of the neurite network, and cellular death. By generating a solution of AβO and playing on the concentration of and time of exposure to AβO, we have shown that it was possible to reproduce early effects (oxidative stress) and the long‐term development of structural alterations (death of neurons). We have shown that 1) all toxic events were linked to AβO according to a specific timing and pathway and 2) AβO were probably the key intermediates in AD pathogenesis. The present model, using Aβ peptide solution containing AβO, reproduced essential neuropathological features of AD; the effects involved were similar whatever the kind of neurons tested (cortical vs. hippocampal). By using a single system, it was possible to embrace all toxic mechanisms at defined times and concentrations, to study each involved pathway, and to study the effects of new molecules on the different neurotoxic pathways responsible for development of AD. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of potentially inhibiting substances on C and net N mineralization of a sandy soil—a case study
Authors: Heumann Sabine , Rimmer David L. , Schlichting Andre , Abbott Geoffrey D. , Leinweber Peter , Böttcher Jürgen
Published: February 2013

Recently, indirect evidence was obtained for inhibition of soil net N mineralization by sterols in soil organic matter, which could have been caused by their antioxidant or antimicrobial properties. The objective of this study was to test the effect of potential inhibitors (i.e., individual compounds with known antioxidant and/or antimicrobial properties) on soil microbial mineralization processes during incubation for 7 and 14 d. A sandy agricultural soil was amended with four substances: two phenolic acids differing in their antioxidant capacity (AOC) (acetovanillone with no AOC, ferulic acid with large AOC), Trolox, an analogue of vitamin E (large AOC), and β‐sitosterol (no AOC, but potential antimicrobial properties). The two compounds with large AOC (ferulic acid and Trolox) showed no significant inhibition of C and net N mineralization; and the Trolox amendment actually caused a significant increase in C and net N mineralization after 7 d of incubation. Acetovanillone with no measurable AOC caused a significant increase in C mineralization (109% of substance C added), indicating degradation of the substance, and a very pronounced negative net N mineralization within 7 d (–356%), which was interpreted as N immobilization. Only β‐sitosterol showed strong inhibition of net N mineralization after 7 and 14 d (–59% and –26%, respectively) which was not interpreted as N immobilization, since there was no concomitant increase in C mineralization. Thus, an antimicrobial effect of β‐sitosterol specificly on microorganisms of the N cycle was suggested, but there was no clear inhibitory effect caused by the antioxidant compounds.
Isolation and identification of antioxidative peptides from pilot‐scale black‐bone silky fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) muscle oligopeptides
Authors: Liu Wenying , Gu Ruizeng , Lin Feng , Lu Jun , Yi Weixue , Ma Yong , Dong Zhe , Cai Muyi
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND

A pilot‐scale production was developed to produce oligopeptide powder from black‐bone silky fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) muscle (BSFP) by two‐step enzymatic hydrolysis and multistage separation. The resultant BSFP was assessed for antioxidant activities against four free radicals (hydroxyl, 1,1‐dipheny‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide and peroxyl) and against the peroxidation of linoleic acid in a lipid peroxidation model system. After separation by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), five major fractions of BSFP were tested for DPPH radical scavenging activity and subjected to mass spectrometry to identify the active peptides.

RESULTS

BSFP showed potential antioxidant activity in four assay systems. Three RP‐HPLC fractions produced higher antioxidant effect than BSFP, with Fraction 4 showing the strongest activity. A total of 18 peptides were identified, and two peptides – Leu‐Trp‐Arg and Asn‐Met – had strong scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 2.28 ± 0.05 and 4.65 ± 0.09 mg mL−1, respectively. Asn‐Met is a novel antioxidative peptide that has not been previously reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the pilot‐scale production of BSFP was a practical way to produce peptides with high value and potential antioxidant activity. BSFP and its antioxidative peptides can be a source of natural antioxidant and used as a food additive. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Graphene grafted silica‐coated Fe3O4 nanocomposite as absorbent for enrichment of carbamates from cucumbers and pears prior to HPLC
Authors: Sun Meng , Ma Xiaoxing , Wang Juntao , Wang Weina , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: February 2013

In this paper, a novel graphene (G) grafted silica‐coated Fe3O4 nanocomposite was fabricated by the chemical bonding of G onto the surface of silica‐coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Some carbamates (metolcarb, carbaryl, pirimicarb, and diethofencarb) in cucumber and pear samples were enriched by this nanocomposite prior to their determination by HPLC with UV detection. Experimental parameters that may affect the extraction efficiency were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a linear response was achieved in the concentration range of 0.5–100.0 ng/g for metolcarb, carbaryl, and diethofencarb, and 1.0–100 ng/g for pirimicarb with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9956 to 0.9984. The LOD (S/N = 3) of the method were found to be in the range from 0.08 to 0.2 ng/g. The RSDs were in the range from 2.4 to 5.8%. The results indicated that the G grafted silica‐coated Fe3O4 nanocomposite was stable and efficient for magnetic SPE and has a great application potential for the preconcentration of other organic pollutants from real samples.