bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Interaction of the DAS‐K with Bovine Serum Albumin by On‐line Ultrafiltration and Chemiluminescence
Authors: Zhang Yan‐Tu , Zhang Zhu‐Jun , Sun Yong‐Hua
Published: December 2006

Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (DAS‐K) has antibacterial and antiviral effects. It has been used widely for the treatment of virus pneumonia, malaria and respiratory infections. In this work, a novel flow‐injection chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of DAS‐K was proposed. The method is based on the reaction between DAS‐K and hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline solution to give weak CL signal, which is enhanced by rhodamine B. The experimental conditions for the CL reaction were optimized and the possible reaction mechanism was discussed. Under the optimum conditions, the concentration of DAS‐K is proportional to the CL intensity in the range of 0.1–80 μmol·L−1 with a detection limit of 0.05 μmol·L−1. The interaction of the DAS‐K with bovine serum albumin by on‐line ultrafiltration and flow‐injection chemiluminescence was studied. The concentrations of unbound DAS‐K from ultra filter tube were determined by the flow‐injection CL method. The binding parameters were estimated by the Scatchard plot and Klotz plot. The proposed system proved that FIA‐CL coupled with on‐line ultrafiltration sampling was a fast and simple technique for the study of drug‐protein interaction.
An Efficient Synthesis of Selective Human NR2A Antagonist NVP‐AAM077
Authors: Li Gang‐Qin , Su Wei‐Ke , Yao Zhu‐Jun
Published: December 2006

A short and efficient synthesis of the selective humanN‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2A (NR2A) antagonist NVP‐AAM077 is described. The target was achieved in 8 steps and in 54% overall yield from the commercially available chemical 3‐methylbenzene‐1,2‐diamine. A NaIO4/DMF‐based oxidation of the bromide to corresponding aldehyde and an addition of phosphinic acid ester to the aldimine successfully served as the key steps.
The cis‐trans Isomerisation of Homologous 2‐Hydroxycycloalkanecarboxylic Acids under Basic Conditions
Authors: Gyarmati Cs. Zsuzsanna , Pálinkó István , Bokros Attila , Martinek A. Tamása , Bernáth Gábor
Published: December 2006

The cis→trans isomerisation of homologous 2‐hydroxycycloalkanecarboxylic acids in strongly basic aqueous solution was studied starting from the cis isomers. It was found that the cyclopentane, cyclohexane and cycloheptane homologues afforded synthetically useful amounts of the trans acids and the procedure resulted in relatively small quantities of the corresponding olefinic acids. In contrast, the isomerisation of the cis‐2‐hydroxycyclooctanecarboxylic acid produced roughly equal amounts of the cis and trans isomers and the 1‐cyclooctenecarboxylic acid at equilibrium. Molecular modelling with the PM3 semiempirical method of the reactants, products and the intermediates applying explicit water molecules as reaction medium gave a fair estimate for the rate sequence of the idealised (dehydration‐free) isomerisation reactions in aqueous base solution.
Preparation, Characterization and Magnetic Properties of PANI/La‐substituted LiNi Ferrite Nanocomposites
Authors: Jiang Jing , Li Liang‐Chao , Xu Feng
Published: December 2006

Magnetic nanocomposites containing polyaniline (PANI)‐coated La‐substituted LiNi ferrite (LiNi0.5La0.02Fe1.98O4) were synthesized by in situ polymerization in aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. The nanocomposites exhibited the magnetic hysteresis nature under applied magnetic field. The saturation magnetization (MS) and coercivity (HC) varied with the ferrite content. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), UV‐Visible spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). TEM and SEM studies showed that the nanocomposites present the core‐shell structure. The results of XRD patterns, FT‐IR and UV‐Visible spectra indicated the formation of PANI‐LiNi0.5La0.02Fe1.98O4 nanocomposites and showed that the interaction existed between PANI backbone and ferrite particles in the nanocomposites. The bonding mechanism in the nanocomposites has been proposed.
The rationale, design, and implementation of the American Cancer Society's studies of cancer survivors
Authors: Smith Tenbroeck , Stein Kevin D. , Mehta C. Christina , Kaw Chiewkwei , Kepner James L. , Buskirk Trent , Stafford Jeremy , Baker Frank
Published: December 2006

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines cancer survivorship as beginning at diagnosis with cancer and continuing for the balance of life and views quality of life (QOL) as a key outcome. In this article, the authors describe the rationale, methodology, and sample characteristics of the 2 ACS Studies of Cancer Survivors (SCS): 1) a longitudinal study identifying and surveying survivors approximately 1 year postdiagnosis that includes plans to resurvey the panel at 2 years, 7 years, and 12 years postdiagnosis to identify predictors of QOL; and 2) a cross‐sectional study of QOL among 3 separate cohorts of survivors who were approximately 3 years, 6 years, and 11 years postdiagnosis at the time of data collection. Survivors of prostate, breast, lung, colorectal, bladder, skin, kidney, ovarian, and uterine cancers and of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma were sampled from 25 different central cancer registries, with African‐American and Hispanic survivors over sampled. Survivors completed either mail or telephone surveys that described their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual functioning. The overall recruitment rate was 34.0%; 15411 participants completed surveys, of whom 40.1% had a high school education or less and 19.4% were racial/ethnic minorities. The SCS surveys provide a large diagnostically, geographically, and demographically diverse database on cancer survivorship that was designed to overcome some of the limitations of past research. Future reports will compare QOL of survivors at different well‐defined times postdiagnosis, investigate the issues of understudied populations and diagnostic groups, and describe survivor QOL at state levels. Insights valuable to those considering registry‐based studies are offered on issues of ascertainment, sampling, and recruitment. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximation of the two‐dimensional Navier–Stokes equations in stream‐function formulation
Authors: Mozolevski Igor , Süli Endre , Bösing Paulo Rafael
Published: December 2006

In this paper, we present the construction and computational assessment of an hp‐version discontinuous Galerkin finite element method (DGFEM) for the numerical solution of the Navier–Stokes equations governing 2D stationary incompressible flows. Using a stream‐function formulation, which ensures that the incompressibility constraint is automatically satisfied, we reduce the system of Navier–Stokes equations to a single fourth‐order nonlinear partial differential equation. We introduce a discretization of this fourth‐order nonlinear partial differential equation based on a combination of the symmetric DGFEM for the biharmonic part of the equation and a DGFEM with jump‐penalty terms for the hyperbolic part of the problem, and then we solve the resulting nonlinear problem using Newton's method. Numerical examples, including the solution of the 2D lid‐driven cavity flow problem, are presented to demonstrate the convergence and accuracy of the method. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards a Detailed Understanding of Bacterial Metabolism—Spectroscopic Characterization of Staphylococcus Epidermidis
Authors: Neugebauer Ute , Schmid Ulrike , Baumann Knut , Ziebuhr Wilma , Kozitskaya Svetlana , Deckert Volker , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen
Published: December 2006

Bacteria are a major cause of infection. To fight disease and growing resistance, research interest is focused on understanding bacterial metabolism. For a detailed evaluation of the involved mechanisms, a precise knowledge of the molecular composition of the bacteria is required. In this article, various vibrational spectroscopic techniques are applied to comprehensively characterize, on a molecular level, bacteria of the strain Staphylococcus epidermidis, an opportunistic pathogen which has evolved to become a major cause of nosocomial infections. IR absorption spectroscopy reflects the overall chemical composition of the cells, with major focus on the protein vibrations. Smaller sample volumes—down to a single cell—are sufficient to probe the overall chemical composition by means of micro‐Raman spectroscopy. The nucleic‐acid and aromatic amino‐acid moieties are almost exclusively explored by UV resonance Raman spectroscopy. In combination with statistical evaluation methods [hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA)], the protein and nucleic‐acid components that change during the different bacterial growth phases can be identified from the in vivo vibrational spectra. Furthermore, tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) provides insight into the surface structures and follows the dynamics of the polysaccharide and peptide components on the bacterial cells with a spatial resolution below the diffraction limit. This might open new ways for the elucidation of host–bacteria and drug–bacteria interactions.
Niobium Oxide Mesophases Obtained by Self‐Assembly of an Aqueous Soluble Niobium Complex Precursor and Organic Templates
Authors: Bizeto Marcos A. , Constantino Vera R. L.
Published: December 2006

In this paper the use of triammonium trioxalato(oxido)niobate {(NH4)3[NbO(C2O4)3]} as an inorganic precursor to assemble organized hybrid niobium oxide mesophases using n‐octylamine (OCT) and cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA) bromide as structure‐directing agents is described for the first time. The niobium complex is water‐soluble and its hydrolysis at controlled pH and in the presence of organic templates leads to the formation of hybrid mesophases. A lamellar mesophase is produced by a neutral route based on the interaction of hydrolyzed units with the octylamine micelles. On the other hand, a hexagonal (p6m) mesophase is obtained when hydrolyzed species interact with CTA micelles through a charge‐matching route (ionic route). This is the first time that such an ionic route has been described for the production of organized niobium oxide hybrids.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
The Interplay between Yttrium and Barium or Copper Trifluoroacetates and N‐Methyldiethanolamine: Synthesis of a Heterometallic Y3Cu Trifluoroacetate Complex and a Homometallic Ba‐TFA 1D Polymer
Authors: Mishra Shashank , Zhang Jianyong , Hubert‐Pfalzgraf Liliane G. , Luneau Dominique , Jeanneau Erwann
Published: December 2006

The reactions between [Y(TFA)3(H2O)3] and either [Cu(TFA)2(MeOH)] or [Ba(TFA)2]∞ in the presence of excess N‐methyldiethanolamine (mdeaH2) have been investigated in relation with their use as precursors for high Tc superconductors. They afford the heterometallic Y3Cu complex [CuY3(μ3‐OH)(μ‐η3:η1‐mdeaH)3(μ3‐η3:η1:η1‐mdeaH)2(η2‐TFA)(μ,η2‐TFA)2](TFA)2(H2O) (1) and the homometallic Ba‐TFA 1D polymer [Ba3(η3‐mdeaH2)2(μ‐η3:η1‐mdeaH2)2(η1‐TFA)2(η2‐TFA)2(μ3‐η2:η2:η1‐TFA)2]1∞ (2), respectively, in high yield. These compounds were characterised by X‐ray diffraction and FT‐IR, ESR (for 1) and NMR (for 2) spectroscopy. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show the versatile bonding modes of the trifluoroacetate and N‐methyldiethanolamine ligands, with the former acting not only as a terminal (η1 and η2) or bridging‐chelating (μ,η2 and μ3‐η2:η2:η1) ligand but also as a counterion, whereas the latter, either protonated or partially deprotonated, binds the metal centres in a chelating (η3) or bridging‐chelating (μ,η3:η1 and μ3‐η3:η1:η1) manner. The triangular Y3 unit [3.480(6)–3.550(6) Å] in the cation of 1 consists of one nine‐coordinate and two eight‐coordinate Y atoms, the former of which are quite scarce in alkoxide chemistry. The unique feature of the 1D polymeric structure of 2 is the secondary F···cation bond, which has not been observed so far for TFA ligands. In addition, it is the only example where the Ba atom is linked to monodentate, bidentate and bridging trifluoroacetate ligands simultaneously. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Cover Picture: Imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridinium Salts from Phenylchlorocarbene and 2‐Pyridyl Schiff Bases: Synthesis, Reaction Mechanism and Effect of Rotamerism (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 24/2006)
Authors: Bonneau Roland , Guionneau Philippe
Published: December 2006

The cover picture shows the mechanistic scheme of the synthesis of imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridinium salts from phenylchlorodiazirine and 2‐pyridyl Schiff bases. The carbene produced by thermolysis of the diazirine reacts with the pyridyl Schiff base to give two different ylide species, which are detected by laser flash photolysis. However, a single product is formed in a nearly quantitative yield and is easily separated from the reactants since it precipitates in nonpolar solvents. Colour code: blue = N, red = Cl, yellow = alkyl or aryl substituent, green = phenyl group. Details are discussed in the article by R. Bonneau and P. Guionneau on p. 5459 ff.
Manikin test for flame engulfment evaluation of protective clothing: Historical review and development of a new ISO standard
Authors: Camenzind M. A. , Dale D. J. , Rossi R. M.
Published: December 2006

The overall performance of a firefighter turnout suit can only be evaluated using both bench‐scale tests and an assessment based on an instrumented manikin under defined, close to real‐life conditions in a laboratory. Using manikins in rating protective clothing has already a long history which will be reflected in this paper. Efforts all over the world to reproduce a flame engulfment situation in a laboratory are currently being combined in a new draft international standard (ISO/DIS 13506.3). A round robin test showed an acceptable reproducibility for this method based on a manikin test and a gas burner system. An overview of existing measurement systems and the results of this round robin are discussed and possible improvements for the standard flame engulfment test method are proposed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Volatile constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Tetrataenium lasiopetalum (Apiaceae) from Iran
Authors: Sonboli A. , Azizian D. , Yousefzadi M. , Kanani M. R. , Mehrabian A. R.
Published: December 2006

The aerial parts of Tetrataenium lasiopetalum were collected from Oshtoran Kuh (Lorestan province) of Iran and its volatile oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC–MS. Forty compounds were identified, representing 94.3% of the total oil. Germacrene‐D (27.0%), 2‐ethyl hexyl acetate (11.0%), α‐zingiberene (8.8%) and β‐bisabolene (4.7%) were the main components. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (59.7%) and aliphatic esters (24.3%) were found to be the major groups of compounds. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of T. lasiopetalum was conducted against four Gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and three Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria, as well as three fungi (Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger). The results of the bioassay showed that the oil exhibited moderate to high antimicrobial activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary biomarkers of tea polyphenols and risk of colorectal cancer in the Shanghai Cohort Study
Authors: Yuan Jian‐Min , Gao Yu‐Tang , Yang Chung S. , Yu Mimi C.
Published: December 2006

There have been no studies on specific tea polyphenol biomarkers and risk of colorectal cancer in humans. We prospectively examined the associations between validated biomarkers of specific tea polyphenols and risk of developing colorectal cancer among a cohort of 18,244 men in Shanghai, China, with 16 years of follow‐up. Epigallocatechin (EGC), 4′‐O‐methyl‐epigallocatechin (4′‐MeEGC) and epicatechin, and their metabolites in baseline urine samples were measured on 162 incident colorectal cancer cases and 806 matched controls. Individuals with high prediagnostic urinary EGC levels had a lower risk of colon cancer. Compared with undetectable EGC, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for colon cancer in the lowest, intermediate and highest tertile of detectable EGC were 0.64 (0.33–1.24), 0.60 (0.30–1.20) and 0.40 (0.19–0.83), respectively (p for trend = 0.02). A similar inverse relation between 4′‐MeEGC and colon cancer also was observed. Compared with the lowest quartile, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for colon cancer in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of urinary 4′‐MeEGC were 0.49 (0.25–0.96), 0.32 (0.16–0.67) and 0.41 (0.20–0.84), respectively (p for trend = 0.006). The strongest protective effect was seen for regular tea drinkers who showed high levels of urinary EGC and 4′‐MeEGC. No association between urinary levels of epicatechin or its metabolite and colon cancer risk was observed. Urinary levels of tea polyphenols and their metabolites were not associated with rectal cancer risk. The present study supports the notion of tea catechins as chemopreventive agents against the development of colon cancer in humans. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on human ether‐a‐go‐go related gene (hERG) channel activity
Authors: Yunomae Kiyokazu , Ichisaki Satoko , Matsuo Junko , Nagayama Shinichi , Fukuzaki Koichiro , Nagata Ryoichi , Kito Go
Published: December 2006

It is presumed that phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors have two mechanisms for inhibition of hERG currents in the acute applications to cells: direct channel block, and downregulation of human ether‐a‐go‐go related gene (hERG) activities by PKA‐dependent pathway mediated phosphorylation through their inhibitory effects against PDE enzymes. However, it is unknown whether PDE inhibition contributes to the inhibitory effects of PDE inhibitors on hERG currents. This study examined the effects of various PDE inhibitors on hERG currents using both the whole‐cell and perforated patch‐clamp techniques in hERG transfected CHO‐K1 cells. The study also investigated the contribution of the PKA‐dependent pathway to the inhibitory effects of PDE inhibitors on hERG currents. Of the PDE inhibitors tested, vinpocetine, erythro‐9‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐nonyl) adenine (EHNA), vesnarinone, rolipram and dipyridamole decreased hERG currents in a concentration‐dependent manner. Vinpocetine and vesnarinone markedly decreased the hERG current with an IC50of 0.13 and 20.6 µm, respectively, at comparatively low concentrations. Furthermore, vinpocetine caused a cumulative block of hERG currents. Milrinone, amrinone and zaprinast had no effect on the hERG current up to 100 µm. Of the PDE3 inhibitors (vesnarinone, amrinone and milrinone), only vesnarinone showed an hERG inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effects of vinpocetine and vesnarinone were not significantly affected by the co‐application of protein kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, the protein kinase activators had no effect on hERG currents. It is concluded that vinpocetine and vesnarinone block the hERG channel directly, and that the inhibitory effect on intracellular PDE in the PKA‐dependent pathway may not be involved in the inhibition of hERG currents in hERG transfected CHO‐K1 cells. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of tributyltin (TBT) on ATP levels in human natural killer (NK) cells: Relationship to TBT‐induced decreases in NK function
Authors: Dudimah Fred D. , Odman‐Ghazi Sabah O. , Hatcher Frank , Whalen Margaret M.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role that tributyltin (TBT)‐induced decreases in ATP levels may play in TBT‐induced decreases in the tumor lysing (lytic) function of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are a subset of lymphocytes that act as an initial immune defense against tumor cells and virally infected cells. TBT is an environmental contaminant that has been detected in human blood, which has been shown to interfere with ATP synthesis. Previous studies have shown that TBT is able to decrease very significantly the lytic function of NK cells. In this study NK cells were exposed to various concentrations of TBT and to two other compounds that interfere with ATP synthesis (rotenone a complex I inhibitor and oligomycin an ATP synthase inhibitor) for various lengths of time before determining the levels of ATP and lytic function. Exposures of NK cells to 10, 25, 50 and 100 nm TBT did not significantly reduce ATP levels after 24 h. However, these same exposures caused significant decreases in cytotoxic function. Studies of brief 1 h exposures to a range of TBT, rotenone and oligomycin concentrations followed by 24 h, 48 h and 6 day periods in compound‐free media prior to assaying for ATP levels or cytotoxic function showed that each of the compounds caused persistent decreases in ATP levels and lytic function of NK cells. Exposures to 0.05–5 µm rotenone or oligomycin for 1 h reduced ATP levels by 20–25% but did not have any measurable effect on the ability of NK cells to lyse tumor cells. ATP levels were also decreased by about 20–25% after 24 h or 48 h exposures to rotenone or oligomycin (0.5 µm ), and the lytic function was decreased by about 50%. The results suggest that TBT‐induced decreases in ATP levels were not responsible for the loss of cytotoxic function seen at 1 h and 24 h. However, TBT‐induced decreases of NK‐ATP levels may be at least in part responsible for losses of NK‐cytotoxic function seen after 48 h and 6 day exposures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of the vector tissue in piscicolid leeches (Annelida, Hirudinea, Rhynchobdellida, Piscicolidae)
Authors: Świątek Piotr , Bielecki Aleksander , Klag Jerzy
Published: December 2006

Hypodermic insemination occurs in piscicolid leeches (Hirudinea, Rhynchobdellida, Piscicolidae). The spermatophore is implanted in a specialized region of the leech body, the copulatory area. Just beneath the copulatory area, there is a specialized connective tissue (vector tissue) that is considered to guide the sperm toward the ovaries. In this study, we show that the vector tissue in the four species of the genus Piscicola is composed of a mass of cells located directly beneath the copulatory area, and two thin strands extend toward the ovaries. The ultrastructure of the vector tissue has been described for the first time. Four cell types were identified, constructing the vector tissue. The envelope of this tissue is made up of extracellular fibrous matrix and two types of cells: vesicular and flat envelope cells, which are embedded within the matrix. The rest of the tissue is formed of granular and plasmatic cells. Both of these last cell types have prominent cytoplasmic projections, filled with a filamentous material. However, only granular cells have numerous small electron‐dense granules in their cytoplasm. The vector tissue was described prior, during and following copulation. Sperm passes within free spaces between the granular and plasmatic cells. Characteristic vector tissue cells also occur within the ovary wall and inside the ovary lumen. This supports earlier data, which postulated that the vector tissue appears to be an outgrowth of the ovary wall. J. Morphol, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Id1 induces the proliferation of cochlear sensory epithelial cells via the nuclear factor‐κB/cyclin D1 pathway in vitro
Authors: Ozeki Masashi , Hamajima Yuki , Feng Ling , Ondrey Frank G. , Schlentz Eileen , Lin Jizhen
Published: December 2006

Inhibitors of differentiation (Id) play an essential role in the neurogenesis of the central nervous system. However, the expression and function of Id in the development of cochlear sensory epithelial cells have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate the Id1 gene was expressed in the rapidly growing otocyst on embryonic day 12 (E12) and in the organ of Corti, spiral ganglions, and stria vascularis on postnatal day 1 (P1) by cellular and molecular biologic techniques. Knockdown of the Id1 gene with short interfering RNA (siRNA) in a cochlear sensory epithelial cell line (OC1) significantly reduced its proliferation, whereas overexpression of Id1 in OC1 significantly increased the proliferation of OC1, suggesting a role of Id1 in the development of cochlear sensory epithelial cells. The proliferative action of Id1 on OC1 was mediated by nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and cyclin D1 (a downstream molecule of NF‐κB). Blockage of the NF‐κB activity with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or enhancement of the NF‐κB activity with p65 (a subunit of NF‐κB) in OC1 significantly inhibited or increased, respectively, the cell proliferation and transcription of cyclin D1 induced by Id1. Truncation of the NF‐κB binding site in the cyclin D1 promoter fully abrogated the transcription of cyclin D1, suggesting that the cyclin D1 transcription is dependent on NF‐κB. We concluded from this study that Id1 induces the proliferation of OC1 via the NF‐κB/cyclin D1 pathway. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel procedure for high‐fidelity tendon histology
Authors: Laudier Damien , Schaffler Mitchell B. , Flatow Evan L. , Wang Vincent M.
Published: December 2006

A novel method to obtain high‐quality histologic sections of rat tendon for light microscopic study is presented. This approach utilizes non‐deleterious dehydrating and clearing solvents and a hydrophobic acrylic (methyl methacrylate) resin. This methodology avoids processing and microtomy artifacts common with routine paraffin wax techniques and overcomes specimen size limitations associated with hydrophilic (e.g., glycol methacrylate) resin histologic methods. These novel histologic processing techniques facilitate the reliable assessment of tendons' cellular and matrix components and can be readily adapted to morphologic studies of damage, healing, and repair. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Addressing rice germplasm genetic potential using genotypic value to develop quality core collections
Authors: Pkania Chepkurui Kennedy , Wu Jian‐Guo , Xu Hai‐Ming , Shi Chun‐Hai , Li Chang‐Tao
Published: December 2006

Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy was used to address the genetic potential for 990 rice lines for 26 quality traits. The predicted genotypic values for quality traits were calculated using the Mahalanobis distance method and used to measure the genetic similarities among rice varieties. To make the core collection, Manhalanobis distance was employed to calculate the genetic distance among the accessions, and the hierarchical clustering method was used to group the accessions, accompanied by sampling method under the pre‐concerted sample proportion (i.e., the ratio of accessions in the core collection to those in the initial population). In this experiment, 24 core collections were developed by using eight hierarchical clustering methods, combined with random, preferred and deviation sampling at a sample proportion of 15% (i.e., 149 for the 15% core collection). These core collections were compared with others constructed at sample proportions of 10% and 20% (i.e., 99 for the 10% core and 198 for the 20% core, respectively). In addition, a trend at increasing sample proportion from 5% to 60% showed that core collection development could be achieved at a sample proportion range of 10–25%. Further results revealed that deviation sampling strategy in combination with the single linkage method retained the greatest degree of genetic diversity of the initial collection. The core collection developed using a sample size of 15% retained the highest degree of diversity, and was stable for all the cluster methods and, hence, the best in developing a core collection of rice quality traits. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for rings A,B‐seco limonoids from the seed of Aphanamixis polystachya
Authors: Zhang Huaping , Chen Feng , Wang Xi , Wu Dagang , Chen Qing
Published: December 2006

Seven rings A,B‐seco limonoids 1–7 were isolated from the EtOH extract of the seed of Aphanamixis polystachya. Their structures were identified as rohituka‐7 (1), dregeana‐1 (2), rohituka‐15 (3), Tr‐B (4), rohituka‐3 (5), rohituka‐5 (6), and rohituka‐14 (7) by MS and NMR spectroscopy. The complete assignment of proton and carbon signals was achieved by 1D and 2D NMR experiments including DEPT, HSQC, 1H1H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shape optimization with topological changes and parametric control
Authors: Chen Jiaqin , Shapiro Vadim , Suresh Krishnan , Tsukanov Igor
Published: December 2006

Recent advances in shape optimization rely on free‐form implicit representations, such as level sets, to support boundary deformations and topological changes. By contrast, parametric shape optimization is formulated directly in terms of meaningful geometric design variables, but usually does not support free‐form boundary and topological changes. We propose a novel approach to shape optimization that combines and retains the advantages of the earlier optimization techniques. The shapes in the design space are represented implicitly as level sets of a higher‐dimensional function that is constructed using B‐splines (to allow free‐form deformations), and parameterized primitives combined with R‐functions (to support desired parametric changes).

Our approach to shape design and optimization offers great flexibility because it provides explicit parametric control of geometry and topology within a large space of free‐form shapes. The resulting method is also general in that it subsumes most other types of shape optimization as special cases. We describe an implementation of the proposed technique with attractive numerical properties. The explicit construction of an implicit representation supports straightforward sensitivity analysis that can be used with most gradient‐based optimization methods. Furthermore, our implementation does not require any error‐prone polygonization or approximation of level sets (isocurves and isosurfaces). The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by several numerical examples. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐dimensional I/O modeling of Distributed Parameter Systems
Authors: Schmidt Michael
Published: December 2006

Many model reduction techniques take a semi‐discretization of the original PDE model as starting point and aim then at an accurate approximation of its input/output map. In this contribution, we discuss the direct discretization of the i/o map of the original infinite‐dimensional system. First, the input and output signals are discretized in space and time, second, the system dynamics are approximated in form of the underlying evolution operator, leading to an approximated i/o map with matrix representation. The discretization framework, corresponding error estimations, a SVD‐based system reduction method and a numerical application in an optimization problem are presented for the example of a linear time‐invariant heat equation. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Landau‐Lifshitz model for shape optimization of MRAM memories
Authors: Cimrák Ivan , Melicher Valdemar
Published: December 2006

We study a generalized Landau‐Lifshitz (LL) equation with space‐variable coefficients. We extend the results on existence and regularity of the smooth solutions for the case of the LL equation with constant coefficients. Further we study the sensitivity of the solution and provide continuous dependence on the coefficients. As a motivation we mention optimization of a magnetic core of MRAM and we perform real computations determining the optimal shape by maximizing the writing efficiency and minimizing the side‐effects. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Flow Rate Boundary Conditions in Fluid‐Dynamics
Authors: Veneziani A. , Vergara C.
Published: December 2006

The defective flow rate problem in fluid‐dynamics has been solved in the engineering literature by precribing a proria velocity profile fitting the desired flow rate. Here, we describe an alternative formulation, relying on a constraint minimization problem. We prove some a prioriestimates and we show some numerical results. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Perturbation analysis of the MNA equations coupled with the drift‐diffusion equations
Authors: Bodestedt Martin
Published: December 2006

We perform a perturbation analysis on a coupled system modeling an integrated circuit. The modified nodal analysis equations are coupled with the drift‐diffusion equations. An index 1 estimate is proven under the assumptions that the network graph contains neither loops of voltage sources and capacitors nor cutsets of current sources and inductors. Additionally, it is assumed that the Dirichlet boundaries of the drift‐diffusion modeled region are connected by capacitive paths. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Numerical Simulation of Thermal Effects in Electric Circuits via Energy Transport equations
Authors: Brunk Markus
Published: December 2006

In this work we present the coupling of stationary energy‐transport (ET) equations with Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA)‐equations to model electric circuits containing semiconductor devices. The one‐dimensional ET‐equations are discretised in space by an exponential fitting mixed hybrid finite element approach to ensure current continuity and positivity of charge carriers. The discretised ET‐equations are coupled to MNA‐equations and the resulting system is solved with backwarddifference formulas. Numerical examples are shown for a test circuit containing a pn‐diode, and the results are compared to those achieved using the drift‐diffusion model to describe the semiconductor devices in the circuit. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Efficient transient noise analysis in circuit simulation
Authors: Sickenberger Thorsten , Winkler Renate
Published: December 2006

Stochastic differential algebraic equations (SDAEs) arise as a mathematical model for electrical network equations that are influenced by additional sources of Gaussian white noise.

We discuss adaptive linear multi‐step methods for their numerical integration, in particular stochastic analogues of the trapezoidal rule and the two‐step backward differentiation formula, and we obtain conditions that ensure mean‐square convergence of this methods. For the case of small noise we present a strategy for controlling the step‐size in the numerical integration. It is based on estimating the mean‐square local errors and leads to step‐size sequences that are identical for all computed paths. Test results illustrate the performance of the presented methods. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A posteriori estimates for eigenvalue/vector approximations
Authors: Grubišić Luka
Published: December 2006

We combine abstract eigenvalue/eigenvector estimates (from our earlier work) with a saturation assumption for finite element solution of associated stationary problem to obtain a posteriori estimates of the accuracy of finite element Rayleigh–Ritz approximations. Attention will be payed to the interplay between the accuracy estimate for the finite element method and a strategy for generating an adapted mesh. The obtained results use a preconditioned residuum of Neymeyr and extend his study of eigenvalue approximations with eigenvector estimates. We also prove that this eigenvalue estimator is equivalent to the global error. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Continuum micromechanics estimation of wood strength
Authors: Hofstetter Karin , Hellmich Christian , Eberhardsteiner Josef
Published: December 2006

Wood strength is highly anisotropic and tissue‐specific. We herein show how it can be predicted from local failure of the nanoscaled wood component lignin and from the microstructure and the composition of the wood tissue, by means of continuum micromechanics. The suitability of the model is confirmed by the good agreement between model‐predicted biaxial strength values of wood and corresponding experimental results. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preparation and characterization of novel hybrid thermoplastic poly(ether urethane)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) elastomers, and their application as solid polymer electrolytes
Authors: Lin Ye , Qian Qin , Zeng‐Guo Feng , Xiao‐Wen Zhang , Ying Bai , Feng Wu
Published: December 2006

A comb‐like polyether, poly(3‐2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxymethyl‐3′‐methyloxetane) (PMEOX), was reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate and extended with butanediol in a one‐pot procedure to give novel thermoplastic elastomeric poly(ether urethane)s (TPEUs). The corresponding hybrid solid polymer electrolytes were fabricated through doping a mixture of TPEU and poly(vinylidene fluoride) with three kinds of lithium salts, LiClO4, LiBF4 and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonimide (LiTFSI), and were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the resulting polymer electrolytes was then assessed by means of AC impedance measurements, which reached 2.1 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C and 1.7 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 °C when LiTFSI was added at a ratio of O:Li = 20. These values can be further increased to 3.5 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C and 2.2 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 °C by introducing nanosized SiO2 particles into the polymer electrolytes. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
cTrans: Generating polypeptide databases from cDNA sequences
Authors: Xu Haibin , Yang Liming , Xu Pei , Tao Ye , Ma Zhengqiang
Published: December 2006

cTrans is a comprehensive utility used to generate polypeptide databases from cDNA sequences. The goal is achieved through integrating four main functions, including retrieving sequences of species of interest from the downloaded packages from dbEST of GenBank, format conversion, checking and deleting vector and adaptor contamination, and translating the cDNA sequences in all six frames and selecting specific translations for database construction in a user‐defined length threshold. In addition, this utility is also applicable to cDNA sequences produced by users themselves.
Expert system for fire and reactivity MSDS text
Authors: Prine B. , Kalos A. , Powers J.B. , Kalnins R.
Published: December 2006

Managing comprehensive and consistent material safety data sheet (MSDS) content for thousands of different chemical products is a significant challenge for any corporation. For a multinational company, the hazard information for each product should be consistent, no matter where it is sold. This paper will focus on one approach that has been successfully used to achieve this goal for the topics of fire and reactivity hazards.

This paper discusses the development of an expert system to assist with the selection of fire and reactivity statements. The selection process is dependent upon the physical properties of the material as well as thermal stability and chemical reactivity information. In this paper, milestones in the development of this approach will be reviewed in addition to desirable features of expert system shells. The key properties used in the evaluations for each major topic are listed. Lessons learned from developing this approach are summarized and a few examples of topics triggered by selected properties are presented. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2007
Antiproliferative Effect of Furanocoumarins from the Root of Angelica dahurica on Cultured Human Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Kim Young‐Kyoon , Kim Young Sup , Ryu Shi Yong
Published: December 2006

A bioassay‐guided fractionation of the root extract of Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) led to the isolation of six furanocoumarins as active ingredients responsible for the antitumoral property. The hexane soluble part of the extract demonstrated a signicant inhibition on the proliferation of cultured human tumor cells such as A549 (non small cell lung), SK‐OV‐3 (ovary), SK‐MEL‐2 (melanoma), XF498 (central nervous system) and HCT‐15 (colon) in vitro, whereas the remaining water soluble part exhibited poor inhibition. Intensive investigation of the hexane soluble part of the extract yielded six furanocoumarins, i.e. isoimperatorin, cnidicin, imperatorin, oxypeucedanin, byakangelicol, oxypeucedanin hydrate, all of which exhibited a signicant inhibition on cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topiramate reduces ethanol consumption by C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Nguyen Shaun A. , Malcolm Robert , Middaugh Lawrence D.
Published: December 2006

Background: Previous reports indicate that topiramate (TPM) might be an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, perhaps due to a decrease alcohol's rewarding effects resulting from inhibition mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) release. Additional reports indicate that TPM antagonizes chronic changes induced by alcohol at the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors. In the present study, a C57BL/6 (B6) murine model (n = 40) was used to evaluate the effect of TPM on the consumption of 12% alcohol over a 21‐h period. Methods: TPM (0, 10, 30, 90 mg/kg) injected subcutaneously into B6 mice 60 min prior to access to a 12% ethanol solution (v/v) over 8 days produced dose‐responsive reduction in consumption during the first 2‐h period after injection. Results: Across the 8 days of treatment ethanol intake (g/kg) for SAL, T10, T30, and T90, respectively, was 1.34, 1.03, 0.72, and 0.67. This reduction appears to require systemically available TPM since it was not statistically supported when assessed over the entire 21‐h period of ethanol availability. None of the TPM doses affected food consumption or body weight, and T90 dose did not reduce motor activity either by itself or in combination with ethanol. Conclusions: Unlike previous experiments using the same B6 mouse model to assess naltrexone or tiagabine, there was no evidence that mice developed tolerance to the TPM‐induced reductions in ethanol consumption. Thus, in the B6 mouse, TPM reduced ethanol intake at doses with no readily apparent adverse side effects, an effect consistent with recent clinical reports. Additional study will be directed toward characterizing TPM as a treatment for alcohol dependence. Synapse 61:150–156, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The phospholipid composition of pig lung surfactant
Authors: Body D. R.
Published: December 2006

Surface active material (surfactant), which contained 80% lipid material, was isolated from pig lungs by the saline perfusion procedure. The lipids were analyzed by column, thin layer and paper chromatography, followed by gas liquid chromatography to determine the fatty acid composition of the major phospholipid fractions. It was found that this pig lung surfactant contained the phospholipid constituents known to be present in mammalian tissues and in addition, phosphatidylglycerol (1.5%) and lyso‐bisphosphatidic acid (2.0%) were also found. These two components occurred in higher proportions in the surfactant lipids than in the lipids of the whole lung tissues.
Determination ofcis andtrans in monoene and diene fatty esters by gas chromatography
Authors: Emken E. A.
Published: December 2006

A GC method has been developed for quantitative determination of thecis andtrans content in monoene and diene C18 fatty esters. In order to achieve separation of thecis‐ andtrans‐monoene and diene isomers, the fatty esters are first epoxidized with peracetic acid. The epoxidation procedure is simple and stereoselective. Positional and geometric isomerization of the double bond does not occur. The GC analysis requires no exotic equipment, reagents or techniques and utilizes standard columns packed with EGSS‐X. Satisfactory analyses were obtained for synthetic mixtures containing oleate‐elaidate andtrans,trans‐, cis,trans‐ andcis,cis‐dienes.
Sterols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and fatty acids of a nonphotosynthetic diatom,Nitzschia alba
Authors: Tornabene T. G. , Kates M. , Volcani B. E.
Published: December 2006

The unsaponifiable lipids and total fatty acids of a nonphotosynthetic diatom,Nitzschia alba, have been examined. The major fatty acids were found to be 14∶0, 16∶0, 18∶1, and 20∶5; small amounts of 15∶0, 16∶1, 18∶0, 18∶2, 18∶3, and 20∶4 acids also were present. The unsaponifiable lipids consisted mostly of sterols, with only traces (<0.1%) of hydrocarbons (chiefly C16, C18, and C28 normal olefins). The sterols contained brassicasterol (major) and clionasterol (minor), as well as traces of an unidentified sterol; clionasterol was present only in glycosidically bound form.
The relationship between eosinophilic leukocytes and phospholipase B activity in some rat tissues
Authors: Ottolenghi Athos
Published: December 2006

Spleen, peritoneal fluid, uterus and bone marrow of the rat have been studied for their content in phospholipase B (E.C. 3.1.1.5) and the presence of eosinophilic leukocytes. A close correlation has been found between cell counts performed on fixed and stained histological sections or cell suspensions and enzymatic activity of the same preparations. Equivalent values of phospholipase B activity per unit cell are found in spleen, uterus and peritoneal fluid. A lower average value is indicated for the bone marrow eosinophils. A tentative explanation for this discrepancy is offered on the basis of histochemical evidence showing that a fraction of the eosinophilic cells do not stain for phospholipase B activity. The number of these cells is approximately equal to that of the precursor immature cells of the eosinophilic leukocyte system. The evidence indicates that in normal conditions a major portion, if not all, of the phospholipase B activity of the organs studied is contributed by the eosinophilic leukocytes present in the tissue.
Variation of triglycerides and fatty acid methyl esters in silkworm eggs during embryonic development
Authors: Suzuki Mieko , Kobayashi Masatoshi , Kekawa Nobuo I.
Published: December 2006

Neutral lipid composition of silkworm eggs showed remarkable differences with stages of embryonic development, such as one day after oviposition, diapausing, before incubation and before hatching. Large amounts of fatty acid methyl esters were found in lipids of eggs just before hatching, and fatty acid compositions in both triglycerides and fatty acid methyl esters varied with the lapse of time of the embryonic development. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were present in large amounts in fatty acid methyl ester fractions from eggs just before hatching and absent in those from diapausing and 1 day old eggs, while a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids was present in triglycerides in diapausing and 1 day old eggs and only small amounts were present in eggs just before hatching. The methyl esters were not formed as artifacts from free fatty acids and glycerides in silkworm lipids during the extraction procedure.
Accumulation of acidic phospholipids in a case of hyperlipidemia with hepatosplenomegaly
Authors: Yamamoto Akira , Adachi Susumu , Ishibe Takeshi , Shinji Yoshitake , Kaki‐Uchi Yoshiyuki , Seki Ko‐Ichi , Kitani Teruo
Published: December 2006

The results of studies made on an adult patient with hepatosplenomegaly, hyperlipidemia and accumulation of acidic phospholipids in the liver are presented. Storage of a lipoid substance was demonstrated histologically in lymph nodes, the liver and the bone marrow. Lipid analysis of the biopsy specimen from the liver revealed marked elevations of free cholesterol and two classes of acidic phospholipids: phosphatidyl inositol and another one which was tentatively identified as lysobisphosphatidic acid. Electron microscopic examination showed cytoplasmic inclusions with concentrically laminated structure.