bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stable, high‐affinity streptavidin monomer for protein labeling and monovalent biotin detection
Authors: Lim Kok Hong , Huang Heng , Pralle Arnd , Park Sheldon
Published: July 2012

The coupling between the quaternary structure, stability and function of streptavidin makes it difficult to engineer a stable, high affinity monomer for biotechnology applications. For example, the binding pocket of streptavidin tetramer is comprised of residues from multiple subunits, which cannot be replicated in a single domain protein. However, rhizavidin from Rhizobium etli was recently shown to bind biotin with high affinity as a dimer without the hydrophobic tryptophan lid donated by an adjacent subunit. In particular, the binding site of rhizavidin uses residues from a single subunit to interact with bound biotin. We therefore postulated that replacing the binding site residues of streptavidin monomer with corresponding rhizavidin residues would lead to the design of a high affinity monomer useful for biotechnology applications. Here, we report the construction and characterization of a structural monomer, mSA, which combines the streptavidin and rhizavidin sequences to achieve optimized biophysical properties. First, the biotin affinity of mSA (Kd = 2.8 nM) is the highest among nontetrameric streptavidin, allowing sensitive monovalent detection of biotinylated ligands. The monomer also has significantly higher stability (Tm = 59.8°C) and solubility than all other previously engineered monomers to ensure the molecule remains folded and functional during its application. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we show that mSA binds biotinylated targets as a monomer. We also show that the molecule can be used as a genetic tag to introduce biotin binding capability to a heterologous protein. For example, recombinantly fusing the monomer to a cell surface receptor allows direct labeling and imaging of transfected cells using biotinylated fluorophores. A stable and functional streptavidin monomer, such as mSA, should be a useful reagent for designing novel detection systems based on monovalent biotin interaction. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 57–67. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Re‐dispersion of Cobalt on a Model Fischer–Tropsch Catalyst During Reduction–Oxidation–Reduction Cycles
Authors: Hauman M. M. , Saib A. , Moodley D. J. , du Plessis E. , Claeys M. , van Steen E.
Published: July 2012

Reduction–oxidation–reduction treatment is employed to regenerate cobalt Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts. Reduction–oxidation–reduction cycles on a model supported‐cobalt Fischer–Tropsch catalyst showed that hollow‐sphere formation occurs during the oxidation step, followed by the formation of a catalyst with an improved metal dispersion. It is deduced that the metal particles consist of both hexagonal close packed Co and face‐centered cubic Co. High‐pressure oxidation led to smaller cobalt oxide crystallites, resulting in a more facile reduction and an increase in metal surface area. Hence, oxidative regeneration is an attractive method to improve the dispersion of cobalt metal on a sintered deactivated catalyst. However, metallic cobalt crystallites may become too small after regeneration, and the intrinsic activity per unit surface area in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis may drop.
Insights into the Temperature‐Dependent “Breathing” of a Flexible Fluorinated Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Fernandez Carlos A. , Thallapally Praveen K. , McGrail B. Peter
Published: July 2012

The framework expansion and contraction upon carbon dioxide uptake was studied in a partially fluorinated metal–organic framework, FMOF‐2. The results show framework expansion and contraction (breathing) as a function of pressure and temperature. Even at temperatures as low as −30 °C, two phase transitions seem to take place with a pressure step (corresponding to the second transition) that is greatly dependent on temperature. This behavior is described by the model proposed by Coudert and co‐workers showing that the material seems to undergo two phase transitions that are temperature‐dependent. The isosteric heats of adsorption at high pressures show a minimum that is concurrent with the region of CO2 loadings where the second pressure step occurs. It was deduced that these lower enthalpy values are a consequence of the energy cost related to the expansion or reopening of the framework. Lastly, the large and reversible breathing behavior may be a product of the combination of the high elasticity of zinc (II) coordination and the apparent high flexibility of the V‐shaped organic building block.
Induced growth of Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.66Sn0.27Ti0.07)O3 antiferroelectric single crystals with a platinum wire
Authors: Yang Zi , Li Qiang , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Lin
Published: July 2012

Relaxor antiferroelectric (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 (PLZST) with the composition near the morphotropic phase boundary shows excellent electrical properties. However, the crystal growth of PLZST is limited by the incongruent melting of the materials. Crystal growth of PLZST was induced by a platinum wire in the flux solution with 50 wt% PbO‐PbF2‐B2O3 as a solvent. The obtained PLZST single crystals are optical transparent with light yellow color. The size of the crystals in regular rectangular shape varies from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The PLZST single crystals exhibit tetragonal phase structure. The element contents of the crystals were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The results show that the composition of as‐grown crystals is a little bit deviated from the starting composition. The single crystals show two dielectric peaks at 115 °C and 182 °C, corresponding to antiferroelectric‐ferroelectric and ferroelectric‐paraelectric phase transitions. The dielectric data of as‐grown crystals indicate there is typical relaxor behavior near 182 °C. The value of relaxor factor n is 1.49642.
Analytical model for approximating node throughputs in wireless mesh networks
Authors: Hunchangsith Konglit , Bialkowski Marek E. , Portmann Marius , Tan Wee Lum
Published: July 2012

This paper describes an analytical model and an associated algorithm for assessing the throughputs of each host in wireless mesh networks (WMNs). It provides a framework for studying WMNs, particularly when the performance and parameters in multiple protocol layers have to be jointly evaluated and optimized. From the point of the implementation, a simple recursive formula with N − 1 iterations is used to obtain the throughput performance of N node WMNs. The produced expressions offer insights into understanding the performance of the individual nodes without referring to a specific medium access control layer or physical layer technology. The model serves as a general tool for capturing the characteristics of the WMNs. Using the model, the complexity of cross‐layer studies is reduced, thus allowing researchers to focus on the modelling of other associated layers. The paper explains the rationale behind the model and provides examples of scenarios for which it is suitable. It is validated using discrete event simulations in the OPNET network simulator. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooperative Metal–Ligand‐Induced Properties of Heteroleptic Copper(I) Xanthate/Dithiocarbamate PPh3 Complexes
Authors: Rajput Gunjan , Singh Vikram , Singh Santosh K. , Prasad Lal B. , Drew Michael G. B. , Singh Nanhai
Published: July 2012

Four new heteroleptic mononuclear complexes, [Cu(PPh3)2L1](1) {L1 = (C9H11O2CS2–), [2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethyl]xanthate}, [Cu(PPh3)2L2] (2) [L2 = (C6H7OCS2–), benzylxanthate], [Cu(PPh3)2L3] (3) [L3 = (C5H9OCS2–), (cyclobutylmethyl)xanthate] and [Cu(PPh3)2L4] (4) [L4 = (NC13H13NCS2–), N‐benzyl‐N‐(4‐pyridylmethyl)dithiocarbamate], have been synthesized and characterized by using microanalysis, IR, UV/Vis, 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography; their photoluminescent behaviour and molecular electrical conductivity have been investigated. CuI possesses four‐coordinate distorted tetrahedral geometry in all the complexes. All are weakly conducting and exhibit semiconductor behaviour in the studied 303–363 K temperature range. Complex 4 shows striking luminescent behaviour emitting bluish green light at 480 nm in CH2Cl2 solution at room temperature.
Fascinating Diazirinone: A Violet Gas (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 21/2012)
Authors: Zeng Xiaoqing , Beckers Helmut , Willner Helge , Stanton John F.
Published: July 2012

The cover picture shows the decay of high‐energy diazirinone (cyclic N2CO). At room temperature this violet gas has a half life of 30 h. The IR, Raman, and electronic spectra were analyzed, and the photochemistry was studied in a solid argon matrix at 16 K. Details are discussed in the article by X. Zeng, J. F. Stanton et al. on p. 3403 ff.

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Survey of Synthetic Approaches to Natural (Peyssonenynes) and Unnatural Acetoxyenediynes
Authors: García‐Domínguez Patricia , Alvarez Rosana , de Lera Ángel R.
Published: July 2012

Four convergent synthetic approaches to acetoxyenediynes have been explored to gain access to peyssonenynes A and B, which are natural products isolated from the red alga Peyssonelia caulifera. After optimization of the routes with a palmitic acid based model system, the synthesis of the peyssonenynes was completed by using, as the key steps, 1) Ni/Cu co‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of terminal alkynes, 2) Sonogashira cross‐coupling, 3) the addition of a diynyl anion to a Weinreb amide, and 4) the previously reported Cadiot–Chodkiewicz cross‐coupling reaction. Because bulky amide bases stereoselectively provided the (E)‐ and (Z)‐acetoxyenynes from the precursor ynones, the cross‐coupling routes to obtaining the acetoxyenediynes by using these stereochemically homogeneous intermediates are comparable to the alternatives in which enolacetate formation of the acetoxyenediyne motif takes place at a late stage in the synthesis.
Extension of direct displacement‐based design methodology for bridges to account for higher mode effects
Authors: Kappos Andreas J. , Gkatzogias Konstantinos I. , Gidaris Ioannis G.
Published: July 2012

An improvement is suggested to the direct displacement‐based design (DDBD) procedure for bridges to account for higher mode effects, the key idea being not only the proper prediction of a target‐displacement profile through the effective mode shape method (wherein all significant modes are considered), but also the proper definition of the corresponding peak structural response. The proposed methodology is then applied to an actual concrete bridge wherein the different pier heights and the unrestrained transverse displacement at the abutments result in an increased contribution of the second mode. A comparison between the extended and the ‘standard’ DDBD is conducted, while further issues such as the proper consideration of the degree of fixity at the pier's top and the effect of the deck's torsional stiffness are also investigated. The proposed methodology and resulting designs are evaluated using nonlinear response‐history analysis for a number of spectrum‐compatible motions. Unlike the ‘standard’ DDBD, the extended procedure adequately reproduced the target‐displacement profile providing at the same time a good estimate of results regarding additional design quantities such as yield displacements, displacement ductilities, etc., closely matching the results of the more rigorous nonlinear response‐history analysis. However, the need for additional iterations clearly indicates that practical application of the proposed procedure is feasible only if it is fully ‘automated’, that is, implemented in a software package. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient very large eddy simulation model for simulation of turbulent flow
Authors: Han Xingsi , Krajnović Siniša
Published: July 2012

Among the various hybrid methodologies, Speziale's very large eddy simulation (VLES) is one that was proposed very early. It is a unified simulation approach that can change seamlessly from Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) to direct numerical simulation (DNS) depending on the numerical resolution. The present study proposes a new improved variant of the original VLES model. The advantages are achieved in two ways: (i) RANS simulation can be recovered near the wall which is similar to the detached eddy simulation concept; (ii) a LES subgrid scale model can be reached by the introduction of a third length scale, that is, the integral turbulence length scale. Thus, the new model can provide a proper LES mode between the RANS and DNS limits. This new methodology is implemented in the standard k − ϵ model. Applications are conducted for the turbulent channel flow at Reynolds number of Reτ = 395, periodic hill flow at Re = 10,595, and turbulent flow past a square cylinder at Re = 22,000. In comparison with the available experimental data, DNS or LES, the new VLES model produces better predictions than the original VLES model. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the new method is quite efficient in resolving the large flow structures and can give satisfactory predictions on a coarse mesh. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sinonasal mucosal melanoma: Molecular profile and therapeutic implications from a series of 32 cases
Authors: Turri–Zanoni Mario , Medicina Daniela , Lombardi Davide , Ungari Marco , Balzarini Piera , Rossini Cristina , Pellegrini Wilma , Battaglia Paolo , Capella Carlo , Castelnuovo Paolo , Palmedo Gabriele , Facchetti Fabio , Kutzner Heinz , Nicolai Piero , Vermi William
Published: July 2012

Background

Primary sinonasal mucosal melanomas are aggressive tumors with a poor clinical control by current treatments, raising the urgent need of novel strategies.

Methods

By fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), direct sequencing, and immunohistochemistry, we investigate the spectrum of molecular abnormalities in a cohort of 32 cases of primary sinonasal mucosal melanomas.

Results

We found that all primary sinonasal mucosal melanomas lack BRAF V600E mutation; in addition, they are characterized by somatic mutations of NRAS (22%) and KIT (12.5%), together with amplification of RREB1 (100%) and loss of MYB (76%). The large majority of cases showed KIT protein expression (96.9%). Among tumor suppressor genes, primary sinonasal mucosal melanomas showed loss of PTEN (48.1%) and p16/INK4a (55.2%). All tested cases showed expression of pAkt and pErk, suggesting a combined activation of PI3K/Akt and RAS‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

Conclusions

This molecular fingerprint strongly argues against the clinical efficacy of BRAF‐inhibitors, but could candidate primary sinonasal mucosal melanomas to therapeutic strategies targeting RAS and KIT mutations or inhibiting PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway. Head Neck, 2013
Cooperative Asymmetric Catalysis Using Thioamides toward Truly Practical Organic Syntheses
Authors: Kumagai Naoya , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: July 2012

Asymmetric catalysis has established its unwavering position in organic chemistry as a particularly efficient strategy for the production of enantiomerically enriched compounds. For a truly practical synthetic protocol, however, asymmetric catalysis must be endowed with high atom economy and sustainability. Cooperative activation is a powerful strategy to drive efficient asymmetric catalysis without the use of stoichiometric activating reagents, leading to asymmetric catalysis with minimum waste production. This review summarizes the utility of thioamides as an emerging functional group class in cooperative asymmetric catalysis. Soft Lewis acid/hard Brønsted base cooperative catalysts, in which thioamides serve as either electrophiles or pronucleophiles, promote asymmetric CC bond‐forming reactions with perfect atom economy.
Combined Enzyme and Transition‐Metal Catalysis for Dynamic Kinetic Resolutions
Authors: Marcos Rocío , Martín‐Matute Belén
Published: July 2012

The preparation of optically pure alcohols, axially chiral allenes, and amine derivatives by using enzymes and transition‐metal catalysts through dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) is reviewed. After a general introduction into enzymatic kinetic resolutions and racemizations catalyzed by transition‐metal complexes, selected examples of DKRs are presented, from early work to more recent outstanding contributions, and also applications of this approach.
Evaluation of the GADD45α‐GFP GreenScreen HC assay for rapid and reliable in vitro early genotoxicity screening
Authors: Luzy Anne‐Pascale , Orsini Nicolas , Linget Jean‐Michel , Bouvier Guy
Published: July 2012

Twenty‐two of Galderma's proprietary compounds were tested in the GADD45α‐GFP ‘GreenScreen HC’ assay (GS), the SOS‐ChromoTest and the Mini‐Ames to evaluate GSs performance for early genotoxicity screening purposes. Forty more characterized compounds were also tested, including antibiotics: metronidazole, clindamycin, tetracycline, lymecycline and neomycin; and catecholamines: resorcinol mequinol, hydroquinone, one aneugen carbendazim, one corticoid dexamethasone, one peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor rosiglitazone, one pesticide carbaryl and two further proprietary molecules with in vitro genotoxicity data. With proprietary molecules, this study concluded that the GS renders the SOS‐ChromoTest obsolete for in vitro screening. The GS confirmed all results of the Mini‐Ames test (100% concordance). Compared with the micronucleus test, the GS showed a concordance of 82%. With known compounds, the GS ranked the potency of positive results for catecholamines in accordance with other genotoxicity tests and showed very reproducible results. It confirmed positive results for carbendazim, for tetracycline antibiotics and for carbaryl. The GS produced negative results for metronidazole, a nitroreduction‐specific bacterial mutagen, for dexamethasone (a non‐genotoxic apoptosis inducer), for rosiglitazone (a GADD45γ promoter inducer) and for clindamycin and neomycin (inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis in bacteria). As such, the GS appears to be a reproducible, robust, specific and sensitive test for genotoxicity screening. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The transcription factor paired box-5 promotes osteoblastogenesis through direct induction of Osterix and Osteocalcin
Authors: Hinoi Eiichi , Nakatani Eri , Yamamoto Tomomi , Iezaki Takashi , Takahata Yoshifumi , Fujita Hiroyuki , Ishiura Ryo , Takamori Misa , Yoneda Yukio
Published: July 2012

Although skeletal abnormalities are seen in mice deficient of particular paired box (Pax) family proteins, little attention has been paid to their role in osteoblastogenesis so far. Here, we investigated the possible involvement of several Pax family members in mechanisms underlying the regulation of differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts. Among different Pax family members tested, Pax5 was not markedly expressed in murine calvarial osteoblasts before culture, but progressively expressed by osteoblasts under differentiation toward maturation. Immunoreactive Pax5 was highly detectable in primary cultured mature osteoblasts on immunoblotting and in osteoblastic cells attached to cancellous bone in mouse tibial sections on immunohistochemistry, respectively. Knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) of endogenous Pax5 led to significant inhibition of the expression of Osteocalcin, and Osterix through deterioration of gene transactivation, in addition to a1(I)Collagen expression and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, without affecting runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) expression and cell viability in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The introduction of Pax5 enhanced promoter activities of Osteocalcin and Osterix in a manner dependent on the paired domain in MC3T3-E1 cells. Putative Pax5 binding sites were identified in the 5′-flanking regions of mouse Osteocalcin and Osterix, whereas chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed the direct binding of Pax5 to particular regions of Osteocalcin and Osterix promoters in MC3T3-E1 cells. Overexpression of Pax5 significantly increased Osteocalcin, Osterix, and a1(I)Collagen expression, ALP activity, and Ca2+ accumulation, without affecting Runx2 expression, in MC3T3-E1 cells. In vertebrae of transgenic mice predominantly expressing Pax5 in osteoblasts, a significant increase was seen in the ratio of bone volume over tissue volume and the bone formation rate. These findings suggest that Pax5 could positively regulate osteoblastic differentiation toward maturation in vitro, in addition to promoting bone formation and remodeling in vivo, as one of the transcription factors essential for controlling osteoblastogenesis independently of Runx2. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Susceptibility genes for osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal chinese women
Authors: Wang Chun , Zhang Zeng , Zhang Hao , He Jin-Wei , Gu Jie-Mei , Hu Wei-Wei , Hu Yun-Qiu , Li Miao , Liu Yu-Juan , Fu Wen-Zhen , Yue Hua , Ke Yao-Hua , Zhang Zhen-Lin
Published: July 2012

To identify the susceptibility genes for osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal Chinese women, a two-stage case-control association study using joint analysis was conducted in 1046 patients with nontraumatic vertebra, hip, or distal radius fractures and 2303 healthy controls. First, 113 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 16 potential osteoporosis candidate genes reported in recent genomewide association studies, meta-analyses studies, large-scale association studies, and functional studies were genotyped in a small-sample-size subgroup consisting of 541 patients with osteoporotic fractures and 554 healthy controls. Variants and haplotypes in SPTBN1, TNFRSF11B, CNR2, LRP4, and ESR1 that have been identified as being associated with osteoporotic fractures were further reanalyzed in the entire case-control group. We identified one SNP in TNFRSF11B (rs3102734), three SNPs in ESR1 (rs9397448, rs2234693, and rs1643821), two SNPs in LRP4 (rs17790156 and rs898604), and four SNPs in SPTBN1 (rs2971886, rs2941583, rs2941584, and rs12475342) were associated with all of the broadly defined osteoporotic fractures. The most significant polymorphism was rs3102734, with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures (odds ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.55, Bonferroni p = 2.6 × 10−4). Furthermore, rs3102734, rs2941584, rs12475342, rs9397448, rs2234693, and rs898604 exhibited significant allelic, genotypic, and/or haplotypic associations with vertebral fractures. SNPs rs12475342, rs9397448, and rs2234693 showed significant genotypic associations with hip fractures, whereas rs3102734, rs2073617, rs1643821, rs12475342, and rs2971886 exhibited significant genotypic and/or haplotypic associations with distal radius fractures. Accordingly, we suggest that in addition to the clinical risk factors, the variants in TNFRSF11B, SPTBN1, ESR1, and LRP4 are susceptibility genetic loci for osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal Chinese women. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Ameliorative effects of resveratrol on liver injury in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Hamadi Nasereddine , Mansour Ahmed , Hassan Memy H. , Khalifi‐Touhami Fatima , Badary Osama
Published: July 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the ameliorative property and potential mechanism of resveratrol (RVT) in a dose of 10 mg/kg for 15 consecutive days against liver injury in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.05) exhibited liver injury manifested by increased aspartylaminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and bilirubin; disturbed liver weight to body weight; and confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Liver from diabetic rats exhibited significant increase in malondialdehyde level and significant decrease in reduced glutathione, glutathione‐S‐transferase, quinone reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Diabetic rats showed significant disturbance in serum lipid profile. Treatment with RVT significantly (P < 0.05) abrogated diabetes‐induced perturbation in these parameters and liver histology. These data suggest that RVT treatment is associated with promising hepatoprotective effect against diabetes‐induced liver damage via reduction of serum glucose level and oxidative damage and improving serum lipid profile. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:384–392, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21432
SENSE OF COHESION AMONG COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS ENGAGING IN VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY
Authors: Levy Drorit , Itzhaky Haya , Zanbar Lea , Schwartz Chaya
Published: July 2012

The present article attempts to shed light on the direct and indirect contribution of personal resources and community indices to Sense of Cohesion among activists engaging in community volunteer work. The sample comprised 481 activists. Based on social systems theory, three levels of variables were examined: (1) inputs, which included personal resources (self‐esteem, sense of mastery, and sense of coherence); (2) throughputs, which included community indices (organizational commitment, leadership competence, and representation); and (3) outputs, i.e., change in the community which enhances community cohesion. Path analysis revealed interesting results: organizational commitment, representation, and leadership competence fully mediated between self‐esteem and community cohesion; and sense of coherence had a direct positive association with organizational commitment. Moreover, sense of mastery and sense of coherence contributed directly to community cohesion. The Discussion presents an analysis of these findings.
COLLEGE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF COLLECTIVE EFFICACY: RESULTS FROM A NONURBAN SAMPLE
Authors: Domoff Sarah E. , Hayman Jennifer , Tompsett Carolyn J.
Published: July 2012

Although the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and collective efficacy is well established in urban populations with community samples, it is unclear if this relationship holds in rural areas. The current study fills this gap by assessing the perceptions of adolescents from nonurban areas to examine the relationships between neighborhood characteristics and collective efficacy in areas with lower population density. Our sample comprised 402 late adolescents attending a Midwestern university (average age 19.1 years). Consistent with previous studies using urban neighborhoods, we found that higher concentrated disadvantage was related to lower levels of social cohesion, regardless of population density. However, neither residential stability nor concentrated immigration was predictive of social cohesion. None of the neighborhood characteristics significantly predicted social control, after controlling for population density.
BUILDING A RESEARCH‐COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY CARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS AT‐RISK FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Authors: Brookman‐Frazee Lauren , Stahmer Aubyn C. , Lewis Karyn , Feder Joshua D. , Reed Sarah
Published: July 2012

This article describes the formation and initial outcomes of a research‐community collaborative group that was developed based on community‐based participatory research principles. The group includes a transdisciplinary team of practitioners, funding agency representatives, researchers, and families of children with autism spectrum disorders, who partnered to improve community‐based care for infants and toddlers at risk for autism through the implementation of evidence‐based practices. Data from this group provide support for the feasibility of developing and sustaining a highly synergistic and productive research‐community collaborative group who shares common goals to improve community care.
Ultrastructure of oocytes of the Urostreptus atrobrunneus (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae): A potential urban centers plague
Authors: Fontanetti Carmem S. , Calligaris Izabela Braggião , Da Silva Souza Tatiana , Iamonte MÔnika
Published: July 2012

The knowledge of the process of egg formation is indispensable for understanding the mechanisms involved in the reproduction of different species. In this context, the objective of this work was to describe the ultrastructure of the oocytes of Urostreptus atrobrunneus (Spirostreptida), a potential plague of urban centers in different locations of São Paulo State. The lack of knowledge about the morphology, physiology, and the reproductive behavior of the species have hindered an effective control of it. The oocytes of U. atrobrunneus presented three development stages: young oocyte or type I; intermediary oocyte or type II; and mature oocyte or type III. During the oocyte development, the cytoplasm become filled with several globules of protein, drops of lipids, and sphaerocrystals, and it was not observed in many organelles in the oocytes with exception of mitochondria, abundant, principally in young oocytes. The vitelline membrane is also deposited in a discontinuous form and the chorion does not present differentiation of layers. The follicular epithelium alters its shape according to the development phase of the oocyte. Part of the vitellus is from exogenous origin and part is endogenous. Before this, only two studies about the ultrastructural analysis of the female germ cells of diplopods were published. Microsc. Res. Tech. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of Stressor Duration on Leukocyte and Hormonal Responses in Male Southeastern Five‐Lined Skinks (Plestiodon inexpectatus)
Authors: Seddon Ryan J. , Klukowski Matthew
Published: July 2012

Environmental stressors elicit elevations of plasma glucocorticoid hormones. Stressors also result in increases in the circulating heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H:L ratio), which has been linked to increased glucocorticoids. Recently, there has been debate about the extent to which stress‐induced elevations of corticosterone are tied to increases in the H:L ratio and about whether one measure of physiological stress might be used in lieu of the other. Few studies have examined the responses of both variables to standardized stressors in free‐living animals, especially reptiles. Stressors may also affect levels of other hormones, such as prostaglandins or testosterone, that may influence leukocytes. Therefore, the H:L ratio, corticosterone, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and testosterone were monitored in free‐living male southeastern five‐lined skinks, Plestiodon inexpectatus, in response to various durations of confinement stress. Skinks confined for 1 hr had elevated H:L ratios and elevated corticosterone concentrations. In addition, corticosterone was positively correlated with the H:L ratio. In contrast, there were no effects of 2 hr of confinement on the H:L ratio, in spite of maximal corticosterone. Plasma PGE2 was not affected by 15, 30, or 60 min of confinement but was positively correlated with monocytes and negatively correlated with lymphocytes in the 1 hr of confinement experiment. Consistent with many other studies of reptiles, confinement stress did not result in suppressed testosterone. Overall, the results indicate that, in reptiles at least, the H:L ratio and plasma corticosterone do not covary consistently and one measure of stress cannot be used in lieu of the other. J. Exp. Zool. 317A:499–510, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of 10H‐Phenothiazines, Their Sulfones and Ribofuranosides
Authors: Gautam Naveen , Gupta Shikha , Ajmera Neha , Gautam D. C.
Published: July 2012

10H‐phenothiazines are synthesized via Smiles rearrangement. These prepared phenothiazines act as a base to prepare ribofuranosides by treating them with b‐D‐ribofuranosyl‐1‐acetate‐2,3,5‐tribenzoate. 10H‐phenothiazines on refluxing with hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid gave 10H‐phenothiazine‐5,5‐dioxides. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antioxidative properties through in vitro studies, and they are also screened for their antimicrobial activity. The structure of the synthesized compounds has been established by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data.
Synthesis of 6‐Aminopropyl‐6H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinoxaline Derivatives
Authors: Shibinskaya Marina O. , Kutuzova Nina A. , Mazepa Alexandr V. , Lyakhov Sergey A. , Andronati Sergey A. , Zubritsky Mykhayl Ju. , Galat Valerij F. , Lipkowski Janusz , Kravtsov Victor Ch.
Published: July 2012

A series of 6‐(3‐aminopropyl)‐6H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinoxalines were synthesized with high yields by the reaction of 6‐(3‐chloropropyl)‐6H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinoxaline and corresponding amines in presence of tetrabutylammonium iodide in boiling toluene or dimethylformamide at room temperature. It was found that boiling of 6‐(3‐chloropropyl)‐6H‐indolo[2,3‐b]quinoxaline in acetone with sodium iodide or in acetic acid lead to intramolecular cyclization product.
Ph3P Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of Heterocyclic Derivatives of Biological Active Curcumin
Authors: Amiri Rahebeh , Padyab Parnia , Chalabian Firoozeh , Rajabi Nasir Ahmad
Published: July 2012

The natural product curcumin with different biological activity reacts smoothly with electron–deficient acetylenic compounds in the presence of Ph3P to produce different new curcumin derivatives which is containing coumarin and furan functional fragments in moderate yields. The reaction based on the aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction between phenol moieties of curcumin and vinyltriphenylphosphonium salts under mild conditions.
Facile Synthesis of Imidazole Fused Fluoroquinolones
Authors: Venkat Reddy G. , Chandra Shekhar A. , Ravi Kumar A. , Sathaiah G. , Narsaiah B. , Shanthan Rao P.
Published: July 2012

Studies on synthetic design of 7,8‐imidazole fused fluoroquinolones from 8‐amino‐6‐fluoro‐4‐hydroxy‐N‐methyl‐7‐(methyl amino)quinoline‐3‐carboxamide and ketones/carboxylic acids and their antibacterial activity.
An Efficient Method for The Synthesis of 4‐Arylfuro[2,3‐a][4,7]phenanthroline Derivatives Catalyzed by Iodine
Authors: Wang Xiang‐Shan , Yin Ming‐Yue , Wang Shu‐Liang , Wang Wei , Li Yu‐Ling
Published: July 2012

A mild and an efficient method for the synthesis of 4‐arylfuro[2,3‐a][4,7]phenanthroline derivatives via three‐component reaction of aromatic aldehyde, quinolin‐6‐amine and 2,3‐dihydrofuran is described using iodine as catalyst. The features of this procedure are mild reaction conditions, good yields and operational simplicity.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of New 1,2,3‐Triazolopyrimidine Derivatives and Their Glycoside and Acyclic Nucleoside Analogs
Authors: El‐Sayed Wael A. , Ali Omar M. , Faheem Merfat S. , Zied Ibrahim F. , Abdel‐Rahman Adel A.‐H.
Published: July 2012

New [1,2,4‐oxadiazolyl]methyl‐3H‐[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5‐d]pyrimidin derivatives were synthesized starting from N′‐Hydroxy‐1‐naphthimidamide. The N‐substituted acyclic nucleoside analogs as well as the substituted glycosides were also prepared by reaction with the corresponding reagents. The antimicrobial results indicated that most of the tested compounds exhibited moderate to high antimicrobial activity whereas few compounds were found to exhibit little or no activity against the tested microorganisms.
Expeditious Synthesis and Single Crystal Structure of New Pyrazole‐Fused 1,4‐Oxazine
Authors: Zheng Liang‐Wen , Zhao Bao‐Xiang , Liu Ying‐Rui
Published: July 2012

A series of 2,6‐diphenyl‐4H‐pyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,4]oxazin‐4‐ones has been synthesized via a lactonization of 1‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxylic acids in the presence of Ac2O at reflux temperature. The products were isolated by simple filtration in excellent yields and were characterized by IR, 1H‐NMR, and HRMS. The molecular structure was confirmed by the X‐ray crystal analysis of one compound that was prone to crystallization.
An Efficient Synthesis of 4‐Naphthylpyrimidin‐2‐amine Derivatives under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Rong Liangce , Ji Honglou , Xia Sheng , Yin Shan , Shi Yanhui , Tu Shujiang
Published: July 2012

A simple, efficient, and mild protocol for the synthesis of 4‐naphthylpyrimidin‐2‐amine derivatives under solvent‐free conditions by the reaction of aromatic aldehydes (or 1‐naphthaldehyde), 2‐acetylnaphthalene (or aromatic ketones), guanidine carbonate, and sodium hydroxide was reported. The advantages of this protocol include short reaction time, mild reaction conditions, easy workup, high yields, and environmental friendliness.
Ethyl 1,4‐Dihydro‐4‐oxo‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐3‐carboxylates by a Tandem SNAr‐Addition‐Elimination Reaction
Authors: Bunce Richard A. , Nammalwar Baskar
Published: July 2012

A series of N‐substituted 1,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐3‐carboxylate esters has been prepared in two steps from ethyl 2‐(2‐chloronicotinoyl)acetate. Treatment of the β‐ketoester with N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) gave a 95% yield of the 2‐dimethylaminomethylene derivative. Subsequent reaction of this β‐enaminone with primary amines in DMF at 120oC for 24 h then afforded the target compounds in 47–82% yields by a tandem SNAr‐addition‐elimination reaction. Synthetic and procedural details as well as a mechanistic rationale are presented.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Octahydro‐5H,12H‐4,11‐methano‐1H,7H‐bis[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4‐d:3′,4′‐j][1,7,3,9]dioxadiazacyclododecine
Authors: Willer Rodney L. , Storey Robson F. , Jarrett William L. , Parrish Damon
Published: July 2012

The unusual 12‐membered ring compound, octahydro‐5H,12H‐4,11‐methano‐1H,7H‐bis[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4‐d:3′,4′‐j][1,7,3,9]dioxadiazacyclododecine is obtained from the acid catalyzed reaction of 3‐amino‐4‐hydroxymethylfurazan with formaldehyde instead of the expected methylene‐bridged compound, 4,4′‐methylenebis[4,5‐dihydro‐7H‐[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4‐d][1,3]oxazine]. The compound crystallizes in Tetragonal, P43212, a = 6.4141(4) Å, b = 6.4141(4) Å, c = 26.525(3) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°, V = 1091.27(16) Å3, Z = 4, dcalc = 1.614 Mg/m3.
Impact of localizing general medical teams to a single nursing unit
Authors: Singh Siddhartha , Tarima Sergey , Rana Vipulkumar , Marks David S. , Conti Mary , Idstein Kathleen , Biblo Lee A. , Fletcher Kathlyn E.
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND:

Localization of general medical inpatient teams is an attractive way to improve inpatient care but has not been adequately studied.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the impact of localizing general medical teams to a single nursing unit.

DESIGN:

Quasi‐experimental study using historical and concurrent controls.

SETTING:

A 490‐bed academic medical center in the midwestern United States.

PATIENTS:

Adult, general medical patients, other than those with sickle cell disease, admitted to medical teams staffed by a hospitalist and a physician assistant (PA).

INTERVENTION:

Localization of patients assigned to 2 teams to a single nursing unit.

MEASUREMENTS:

Length of stay (LOS), 30‐day risk of readmission, charges, pages to teams, encounters, relative value units (RVUs), and steps walked by PAs.

RESULTS:

Localized teams had 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–1.41) more patient encounters and generated 2.20 more RVUs per day (CI, 1.10–3.29) compared to historical controls; and 1.02 (CI, 0.46–1.58) more patient encounters and generated 1.36 more RVUs per day (CI, 0.17–2.55) compared to concurrent controls. Localized teams received 51% (CI, 48–54) fewer pages during the workday. LOS may have been approximately 10% higher for localized teams. Risk of readmission within 30 days and charges incurred were no different. PAs possibly walked fewer steps while localized.

CONCLUSION:

Localization of medical teams led to higher productivity and better workflow, but did not significantly impact readmissions or charges. It may have had an unintended negative impact on hospital efficiency; this finding deserves further study. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Ultrastructure and morphology of the cycliophoran female
Authors: Neves Ricardo Cardoso , Møbjerg Kristensen Reinhardt , Funch Peter
Published: July 2012

Cover illustration. Cycliophorans have been discovered in the late 1960s. They constitute a group of microscopic commensals that live attached to the mouth parts of clawed lobsters. So far females have been known only from immature individuals. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology (pp. 850–869) Neves and coauthors describe the morphology and ultrastructure of the free and fully mature female of Cycliophora. The cover image shows a free‐swimming female of the undescribed Symbion sp. from Homarus gammarus.
Compressed‐Sensing multispectral imaging of the postoperative spine
Authors: Worters Pauline W. , Sung Kyunghyun , Stevens Kathryn J. , Koch Kevin M. , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

To apply compressed sensing (CS) to in vivo multispectral imaging (MSI), which uses additional encoding to avoid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts near metal, and demonstrate the feasibility of CS‐MSI in postoperative spinal imaging.

Materials and Methods:

Thirteen subjects referred for spinal MRI were examined using T2‐weighted MSI. A CS undersampling factor was first determined using a structural similarity index as a metric for image quality. Next, these fully sampled datasets were retrospectively undersampled using a variable‐density random sampling scheme and reconstructed using an iterative soft‐thresholding method. The fully and undersampled images were compared using a 5‐point scale. Prospectively undersampled CS‐MSI data were also acquired from two subjects to ensure that the prospective random sampling did not affect the image quality.

Results:

A two‐fold outer reduction factor was deemed feasible for the spinal datasets. CS‐MSI images were shown to be equivalent or better than the original MSI images in all categories: nerve visualization: P = 0.00018; image artifact: P = 0.00031; image quality: P = 0.0030. No alteration of image quality and T2 contrast was observed from prospectively undersampled CS‐MSI.

Conclusion:

This study shows that the inherently sparse nature of MSI data allows modest undersampling followed by CS reconstruction with no loss of diagnostic quality. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:243–248. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of blood flow on diffusion coefficients of the human kidney: A time‐resolved ECG‐triggered diffusion‐tensor imaging (DTI) study at 3T
Authors: Heusch Philipp , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg , Kröpil Patric , Blondin Dirk , Quentin Michael , Klasen Janina , Pentang Gael , Antoch Gerald , Lanzman Rotem S.
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate the impact of renal blood flow on apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) using time‐resolved electrocardiogram (ECG)‐triggered diffusion‐tensor imaging (DTI) of the human kidneys.

Materials and Methods:

DTI was performed in eight healthy volunteers (mean age 29.1 ± 3.2) using a single slice coronal echoplanar imaging (EPI) sequence (3 b‐values: 0, 50, and 300 s/mm2) at the timepoint of minimum (20 msec after R wave) and maximum renal blood flow (200 msec after R wave) at 3T. Following 2D motion correction, region of interest (ROI)‐based analysis of cortical and medullary ADC‐ and FA‐values was performed.

Results:

ADC‐values of the renal cortex at maximum blood flow (2.6 ± 0.19 × 10−3 mm2/s) were significantly higher than at minimum blood flow (2.2 ± 0.11 × 10−3 mm2/s) (P < 0.001), while medullary ADC‐values did not differ significantly (maximum blood flow: 2.2 ± 0.18 × 10−3 mm2/s; minimum blood flow: 2.15 ± 0.14 × 10−3 mm2/s). FA‐values of the renal medulla were significantly greater at maximal blood (0.53 ± 0.05) than at minimal blood flow (0.47 ± 0.05) (P < 0.01). In contrast, cortical FA‐values were comparable at different timepoints of the cardiac cycle.

Conclusion:

ADC‐values in the renal cortex as well as FA‐values in the renal medulla are influenced by renal blood flow. This impact has to be considered when interpreting renal ADC‐ and FA‐values. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:233–236. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of electrospray ion source design on matrix effects
Authors: Stahnke Helen , Kittlaus Stefan , Kempe Günther , Hemmerling Christlieb , Alder Lutz
Published: July 2012

This study investigates to which extent the design of electrospray ion sources influences the susceptibility to matrix effects (MEs) in liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). For this purpose, MEs were measured under comparable conditions (identical sample extracts, identical LC column, same chromatographic method and always positive ion mode) on four LC–MS/MS instrument platforms. The instruments were combined with five electrospray ion sources, viz. Turbo Ion Spray, Turbo VTM Source, Standard ESI, Jet Stream ESI and Standard Z‐Spray Source. The comparison of MEs could be made at all retention times because the method of permanent postcolumn infusion was applied. The MEs ascertained for 45 pesticides showed for each electrospray ion source the same pattern, i.e. the same number of characteristic signal suppressions at equivalent retention times in the chromatogram. The Turbo Ion Spray (off‐axis geometry), Turbo VTM Source (orthogonal geometry) and the Standard Z‐Spray Source (double orthogonal geometry) did not differ much in their susceptibility to MEs. The Jet Stream ESI (orthogonal geometry) reaches a higher sensitivity by an additional heated sheath gas, but suffers at the same time from significantly stronger signal suppressions than the comparable Standard ESI (orthogonal geometry) without sheath gas. No relation between source geometry and extent of signal suppression was found in this study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wet and dry years of Indian summer monsoon and its relation with Indo‐Pacific sea surface temperatures
Authors: Varikoden Hamza , Preethi B.
Published: July 2012

Regional characteristics of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) during dry and wet monsoon years associated with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and non‐ENSO (normal) periods are investigated. Four cases such as wet monsoon years associated with ENSO (EW) and non‐ENSO (NW) events and dry monsoon years associated with ENSO (ED) and non‐ENSO (ND) events have been discussed. The dry and wet years associated with ENSO and non‐ENSO periods show significant differences in the spatial pattern of rainfall. During wet years (EW and NW), the rainfall is abnormally high in the west coastal stations. However, during EW years, anomalous heavy rainfall is observed in the northern part of the west coast while during the NW years, the rainfall is high in southwest coastal regions. In central India, the rainfall is abnormally high only during the wet years associated with non‐ENSO events (NW). The west coastal areas receive below normal rainfall during ED, ND years, however, the negative anomalies are large during ED years compared to ND years. The low level (1000 hPa) moisture transport is coherent with the changes in the spatial patter of ISMR. The Indo‐Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs), low level circulation (at 850 hPa) features and general circulation associated with the four cases of ISMR have also been studied in detail. During wet phases of ISMR, the SST over the pacific ocean is abnormally cool and that during dry phases of ISMR is abnormally warm. However, the areas of cool and warm are different during ENSO and normal years. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society