bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematics, distributions, and bionomics of the small carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Cholevini) of North America
Authors: Peck Stewart B. , Cook Joyce
Published: November 2009

In North America, the tribe Cholevini (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) is composed of the generaPrionochaetaHorn with 1 species,CatoptrichusMurray with 1 species,SciodrepoidesHatch with 3 species, andCatopsPaykull with 17 species. The species are mostly forest inhabitants that feed on carrion and other decaying materials, but some occur in tundra habitats, in caves, and in rodent burrows. Resurrected status is proposed forSciodrepoides terminans(LeConte). The subspecies status ofSciodrepoides watsoni hornianus(Blanchard) is not supported. Lectotypes are designated forCatops terminansLeConte (=Sciodrepoides terminans(LeConte)),Choleva gratiosaBlanchard (=Catops gratiosus(Blanchard)), andCholeva egenaHorn (=Catops egenus(Horn)). Neotypes are designated forCatops simplexSay andCatops basilarisSay.Catops luteipesThomson is reported from North America for the first time. New species areSciodrepoides latinotumPeck and Cooksp.nov.,Catops paramericanusPeck and Cooksp.nov.,Catops apterusPeck and Cooksp.nov., andCatops meridionalisPeck and Cooksp.nov. FourCatopsspecies are Holarctic in distribution, whereas the others are restricted to North America, south to Mexico.
Cydia strobilella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): antennal and behavioral responses to host and nonhost volatiles
Authors: Bédard C. , Gries R. , Gries G. , Bennett R.
Published: November 2009

Female spruce seed moths, Cydia strobilella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), oviposit on seed cones of most North American spruces (Picea spp.) (Pinaceae) at the time of pollination, and larvae feed on seeds in the maturing cones. We tested the hypothesis that host-seeking moths respond to volatiles from both host and nonhost trees. In coupled gas chromatographic – electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) analyses of extracts of spruce seed cone volatiles, > 17 compounds elicited antennal responses from male and female C. strobilella. A blend of seven compounds, including (−)-α-pinene and (−)-β-pinene, α-longipinene and α-humulene, Z3-hexenol, methyl eugenol, and cymen-8-ol, was more attractive to female C. strobilella in laboratory bioassay experiments than the complete seed cone volatile blend, containing these compounds at equivalent quantities and ratios. In GC–EAD analyses of volatile extracts from nonhost angiosperm trees, EAD-activity was associated with compounds present in (almost) every volatile source, including trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides (Michx.) (Salicaceae), paper birch, Betula papyrifera (Marsh.) (Betulaceae), black Cottonwood, Populus balsamifera trichocarpa (Torr. and Gray) (Salicaceae), and bigleaf maple, Acer macrophyllum (Pursh.) (Aceraceae). In a field experiment in the interior of British Columbia, the antennally active nonhost aldehydes, alcohols, and (±)-conophthorin all reduced captures of male C. strobilella in pheromone-baited traps. Collectively, our data suggest that host selection by C. strobilella is mediated, in part, by semiochemicals from both host and nonhost trees.
Interaction of foliage and larval age influences preference and performance of a geometrid caterpillar
Authors: Pinault Lauren , Thurston Graham , Quiring Dan
Published: November 2009

In two recent studies it was reported that feeding on foliage of multiple age classes can improve insect fitness, but it was not determined whether the increase in fitness was due to larvae obtaining a more balanced diet (the balanced-diet hypothesis) or to a difference in the nutritional requirements between young and old larvae (the ontogenetic hypothesis). To test these two hypotheses, we examined the foraging behaviour and performance of young (second or third to fourth instar) and old (third or fourth to fifth instar) larvae of the pale-winged gray moth, Iridopsis ephyraria (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), on different-aged foliage of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière (Pinaceae), during an outbreak in southwestern Nova Scotia. Defoliation attributed to I. ephyraria was highest on current-year foliage and gradually declined with foliage age. Young larvae were only observed feeding on current-year shoots but old larvae fed on foliage of all ages. When forced to feed on foliage of specific ages in manipulative field studies, survival rates of young and old larvae were highest on current-year and old (≥1 year old) foliage, respectively. However, both young and old larvae had higher survival rates when provided with access to foliage of all age classes than when they were forced to feed on only young or old foliage. Thus, this study supports both the balanced-diet and ontogenetic hypotheses.
The bizarre male of Spalangia dozieri (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae): adaptations for male phoresy or the result of sexual selection?
Authors: Gibson Gary A.P. , Reigada Carolina
Published: November 2009

Spalangia dozieri Burks is newly recorded as a gregarious parasitoid in the puparia of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), C. putoria (Wiedemann), Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann), and L. sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and represents the first report of gregariousness in Spalangia Latreille. The previously unknown males of S. dozieri are described and compared with females. Males have highly modified legs and several other sexually dimorphic features that differ from those of other Spalangia species. Most of the unusual features are hypothesized to be adaptations for grasping and holding and it is suggested that males either are phoretic on adults of their dipteran hosts or, possibly, that males exhibit aggressive or other atypical behaviour toward siblings that is correlated with being gregarious. Barbados, Brazil, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Trinidad are recorded as new country distribution records for S. dozieri.
Clozapine-induced rabbit syndrome: a case report
Authors: Hocaoglu Cicek
Published: November 2009

Rabbit syndrome (RS) is an antipsychoticinduced rhythmic motion of the mouth/lips resembling the chewing movements of a rabbit. The movement consists of a vertical-only motion, at about 5 Hz, with no involvement of the tongue. Long-term exposure to typical antipsychotics has clearly been associated with RS, but little is known of the risk of RS due to exposure to newer atypical antipsychotics. There have been isolated reports of RS in patients treated with the atypical agents risperidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, and clozapine. We present the case history of a 44-year old female patient treated for paranoid schizophrenia for 22 years and RS during her last 10-month clozapine treatment. Background information from the literature is also discussed.
Hand wasting in Calumny of Apelles
Authors: Sharma Sanjay
Published: November 2009

Renaissance painting from the early 15th to mid 16th centuries originated in the area of present-day Italy. Inspired by the works of ancient Greece and Rome, artist produced painting based on topographic observation and the idealistic body proportion. The most of the painting depicts human figure in perfect shape. Calumny of Apelles was painted by the Italian painter Sandro Botticelli. A dark male figure painted in center with bilateral symmetrical distal wasting of limbs and poor body frame. The unusual portrayal may also suggest use of live model suffering from lead toxicity and lead neuropathy.
A brainstem anosognosia of hemiparesis
Authors: Abe Kazuo , Uchida Yutaka , Yamamoto Kiyoka
Published: November 2009

A woman had anosognosia for hemiplegia as a manifestation of brainstem infarction. She had no mental or neuropsychological disturbances, and had involvement of the brainstem in the frontal/parietal-subcortical circuits to the right cerebral hemisphere. Brainstem lesions that disrupt frontal/parietal-subcortical areas may affect anosognosia for hemiplegia.
Rehabilitation of the upper extremity and basic activities of daily living in the first month after ischemic stroke: an international cohort comparison study
Authors: Minelli Cesar , Gondim Francisco A.A. , Barreira Amilton Antunes , Dromerick Alexander W.
Published: November 2009

Background: Inpatient rehabilitation has been traditionally employed in developed countries, while in developing countries, outpatient rehabilitation is the rule. The purpose of this study was to compare the patterns of recovery of upper extremity (UE) function, global impairment and independence in activities of daily living (ADL) during the first month after ischaemic stroke in inpatient (United States) and outpatient (Brazil) rehabilitation settings. Design and Methods: This is a prospective cohort comparison study. Twenty patients from each country were selected using identical inclusion criteria. The study measures employed were the UE portion of the Fugl-Meyer scale, the Action Research Arm test, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index. Changes from baseline to the end of treatment, efficiency and effectiveness of each treatment were compared. Results: Both populations exhibited significant improvement between the first and second evaluations in the four outcome scales (P <0.0001). There were no differences between the two rehabilitation settings on any of the four dependent measures (P>0.05). Conclusions: Substantially different treatment approaches after ischaemic stroke led to similar results in UE function, global impairment and ADL. Further studies in larger populations should be performed in order to confirm the present results.
Origins of Improved Hole‐Injection Efficiency by the Deposition of MoO3 on the Polymeric Semiconductor Poly(dioctylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole)
Authors: Nakayama Yasuo , Morii Katsuyuki , Suzuki Yuuichirou , Machida Hiroyuki , Kera Satoshi , Ueno Nobuo , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Noguchi Yutaka , Ishii Hisao
Published: November 2009

The electronic structure of the interfaces formed after deposition of MoO3 hole‐injection layers on top of a polymer light‐emitting material, poly(dioctylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), is studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and metastable atom electron spectroscopy. Significant band bending is induced in the F8BT film by MoO3 “acceptors” that spontaneously diffuse into the F8BT “host” probably driven by kinetic energy of the deposited hot MoO3. Further deposition leads to the saturation of the band bending accompanied by the formation of MoO3 overlayers. Simultaneously, a new electronic state in the vicinity of the Fermi level appears on the UPS spectra. Since this peak does not appear in the bulk MoO3 film, it can be assigned as an interface state between the MoO3 overlayer and underlying F8BT film. Both band bending and the interface state should result from charge transfer from F8BT to MoO3, and they appear to be the origin of the hole‐injection enhancement by the insertion of MoO3 layers between the F8BT light‐emitting diodes and top anodes.
Novel Magnetic Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles as Non‐Viral Vectors for the Glial Cell Line‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene
Authors: Wu Hsi‐Chin , Wang Tzu‐Wei , Bohn Martha C. , Lin Feng‐Huei , Spector Myron
Published: November 2009

Nanoparticles (NPs) of synthetic hydroxyapatite (Hap) and natural bone mineral (NBM) are rendered magnetic by treatment with iron ions using a wet‐chemical process. The magnetic NPs (mNPs), which are about 300 nm in diameter, display superparamagnetic properties in a superconducting quantum interference device, with a saturation magnetization of about 30 emu g−1. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the magnetic properties of the NPs are the result of the hetero‐epitaxial growth of magnetite on the Hap and NBM crystallites. The mNPs display a high binding affinity for plasmid DNA in contrast to magnetite NPs which do not bind the plasmid well. The mHap and mNBM NPs result in substantial increases in the transfection of rat marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells with the gene for glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), with magnetofection compared to transfection in the absence of a magnet. The amount of GDNF recovered in the medium approaches therapeutic levels despite the small amount of plasmid delivered by the NPs.
Porous Polymersomes with Encapsulated Gd‐Labeled Dendrimers as Highly Efficient MRI Contrast Agents
Authors: Cheng Zhiliang , Thorek Daniel L. J. , Tsourkas Andrew
Published: November 2009

The use of nanovesicles with encapsulated Gd as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents has largely been ignored due to the detrimental effects of the slow water exchange rate through the vesicle bilayer on the relaxivity of encapsulated Gd. Here, the facile synthesis of a composite MR contrast platform is described; it consists of dendrimer conjugates encapsulated in porous polymersomes. These nanoparticles exhibit improved permeability to water flux and a large capacity to store chelated Gd within the aqueous lumen, resulting in enhanced longitudinal relaxivity. The porous polymersomes, ∼130 nm in diameter, are produced through the aqueous assembly of the polymers, polyethylene oxide‐b‐polybutadiene (PBdEO), and polyethylene oxide‐b‐polycaprolactone (PEOCL). Subsequent hydrolysis of the caprolactone (CL) block resulted in a highly permeable outer membrane. To prevent the leakage of small Gd‐chelate through the pores, Gd was conjugated to polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers via diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride (DTPA dianhydride) prior to encapsulation. As a result of the slower rotational correlation time of Gd‐labeled dendrimers, the porous outer membrane of the nanovesicle, and the high Gd payload, these functional nanoparticles are found to exhibit a relaxivity (R1) of 292 109 mM−1 s−1 per particle. The polymersomes are also found to exhibit unique pharmacokinetics with a circulation half‐life of >3.5 h and predominantly renal clearance.
Tissue Engineering Strategies Designed to Realize the Endogenous Regenerative Potential of Peripheral Nerves
Authors: Mukhatyar Vivek , Karumbaiah Lohitash , Yeh Julie , Bellamkonda Ravi
Published: November 2009

http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/adma.v21:32/33

Bridging peripheral nerve gaps without the use of autografts has significant clinical importance. But in order to rationally design novel scaffolds, a good understanding of the nerve regeneration process is vital. Appropriate amount of structural and chemical cues are required to stimulate the endogenous mechanisms of repair and functional recovery. Synthetic and natural materials present various opportunities to induce the growth of supporting cells as well as promote axon regeneration. An overview of tissue engineering strategies currently being explored that stimulate the different steps of the regenerative sequence is presented.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Dihydrocoumarins via N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Ketenes and o‐Quinone Methides
Authors: Lv Hui , You Lin , Ye Song
Published: November 2009

Chiral N‐heterocyclic carbenes were found to be efficient catalysts for the formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of alky(aryl)ketenes and o‐quinone methides to give the corresponding 3,3,4‐trisubstituted 3,4‐dihydrocoumarins in good yields with good diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities.
Activated α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes as Substrate of Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate (DHAP)‐Dependent Aldolases in the Context of a Multienzyme System
Authors: Sánchez‐Moreno Israel , Iturrate Laura , Doyagüez Elisa G. , Martínez Juan Antonio , Fernández‐Mayoralas Alfonso , García‐Junceda Eduardo
Published: November 2009

The utility for carbon‐carbon bond formation of a multienzyme system composed of recombinant dihydroxyacetone kinase (DHAK) from Citrobacter freundii, the fructose bisphosphate aldolase from rabbit muscle (RAMA) and acetate kinase (AK) for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regeneration has been studied. Several aldehydes with great structural diversity, including three α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, have been analysed as acceptor substrates. It was found that α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes bearing an electron‐withdrawing group in the β position to the double bond with a trans configuration are good acceptors for RAMA in this multienzyme system. The aldol reaction proceeds with excellent D‐threo enantioselectivity and the aldol adduct is obtained in good overall yield. The L‐threo and D‐erythro enantiomers are also accessible from rhamnulose 1‐phosphate aldolase (Rha‐1PA) and fuculose 1‐phosphate aldolase (Fuc‐1PA) catalysed reactions, respectively.
Robust identification of piecewise/switching autoregressive exogenous process
Authors: Jin Xing , Huang Biao
Published: November 2009

A robust identification approach for a class of switching processes named PWARX (piecewise autoregressive exogenous) processes is developed in this article. It is proposed that the identification problem can be formulated and solved within the EM (expectation‐maximization) algorithm framework. However, unlike the regular EM algorithm in which the objective function of the maximization step is built upon the assumption that the noise comes from a single distribution, contaminated Gaussian distribution is utilized in the process of constructing the objective function, which effectively makes the revised EM algorithm robust to the latent outliers. Issues associated with the EM algorithm in the PWARX system identification such as sensitivity to its starting point as well as inability to accurately classify “un‐decidable” data points are examined and a solution strategy is proposed. Data sets with/without outliers are both considered and the performance is compared between the robust EM algorithm and regular EM algorithm in terms of their parameter estimation performance. Finally, a modified version of MRLP (multi‐category robust linear programming) region partition method is proposed by assigning different weights to different data points. In this way, negative influence caused by outliers could be minimized in region partitioning of PWARX systems. Simulation as well as application on a pilot‐scale switched process control system are used to verify the efficiency of the proposed identification algorithm. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Primate conservation: integrating communities through environmental education programs
Authors: Padua Suzana M.
Published: November 2009

Environmental education has evolved over the years to respond to the varied complexities found in the different localities where it is practiced. In many parts of the world where biodiversity is rich, social conditions are poor, so educators have included sustainable development alternatives to better the environment and the livelihoods of local communities. Primate conservation education programs, which are often based in areas that face such challenges, have been a vanguard in creating means to integrate people with their natural environment and thus conquer supporters for the protection of natural habitats. In the search for effectiveness they have adopted evaluation methods to help assess what was offered. An example from Brazil is described in this commentary. Am. J. Primatol. 72:450–453, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spouse selection by health status and physical traits. Sardinia, 1856–1925
Authors: Manfredini M. , Breschi M. , Mazzoni S.
Published: November 2009

Military medical information and data from civil registers of death and marriage have been used to study the role of physical characteristics and health conditions in explaining access to marriage for the male population of Alghero, a small city located in Sardinia Island (Italy), at the turn of 19th century. Literature data about contemporary populations have already demonstrated the influence of somatic traits in the mate choice. The results presented here show that men with low height and poor health status at the age of 20 were negatively selected for marriage. This holds true also in a society where families often arranged marriages for their children. This pattern of male selection on marriage was found to be particularly marked among the richest and wealthiest SES groups. Our hypothesis is that this social group carefully selected for marriage those individuals who were apparently healthier and therefore more likely to guarantee good health status and better life conditions to offspring. In evolutionary terms, the mate choice component of sexual selection suggests that the height of prospective partners could be claimed as one of the determinants, along with other environmental causes, of the observed higher stature of men belonging to the wealthiest social strata of the Alghero population. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of masticatory loading on craniofacial morphology: A test case across technological transitions in the Ohio valley
Authors: Paschetta Carolina , de Azevedo Soledad , Castillo Lucía , Martínez‐Abadías Neus , Hernández Miquel , Lieberman Daniel E. , González‐José Rolando
Published: November 2009

Masticatory loading is one of the main environmental stimuli that generate craniofacial variation among recent humans. Experimental studies on a wide variety of mammals, including those with retrognathic postcanine teeth, predict that responses to masticatory loading will be greater in the occlusal plane, the inferior rostrum, and regions associated with the attachments of the temporalis and masseter muscles. Here we test these experimentally‐derived predictions on an extinct human population from the middle and upper Ohio valley that underwent a marked shift from hunting‐gathering to extensive farming during the last 3,000 years and for which we have good archaeological evidence about diet and food processing technology. Geometric morphometric methods were used to detect and measure the putative effect of diet changes on cranial shape independent of size. Our results partially confirm only some of the experimental predictions. The effect of softer and/or less tough diets on craniofacial shape seem to be concentrated in the relative reduction of the temporal fossa and in a displacement of the attachment of the temporal muscle. However, there were few differences in craniofacial shape in regions closer to the occlusal plane. These results highlight the utility of exploring specific localized morphological shifts using a hierarchical model of craniofacial integration. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Height and body mass influence on human body outlines: A quantitative approach using an elliptic Fourier analysis
Authors: Courtiol Alexandre , Ferdy Jean Baptiste , Godelle Bernard , Raymond Michel , Claude Julien
Published: November 2009

Many studies use representations of human body outlines to study how individual characteristics, such as height and body mass, affect perception of body shape. These typically involve reality‐based stimuli (e.g., pictures) or manipulated stimuli (e.g., drawings). These two classes of stimuli have important drawbacks that limit result interpretations. Realistic stimuli vary in terms of traits that are correlated, which makes it impossible to assess the effect of a single trait independently. In addition, manipulated stimuli usually do not represent realistic morphologies. We describe and examine a method based on elliptic Fourier descriptors to automatically predict and represent body outlines for a given set of predicted variables (e.g., sex, height, and body mass). We first estimate whether these predictive variables are significantly related to human outlines. We find that height and body mass significantly influence body shape. Unlike height, the effect of body mass on shape differs between sexes. Then, we show that we can easily build a regression model that creates hypothetical outlines for an arbitrary set of covariates. These statistically computed outlines are quite realistic and may be used as stimuli in future studies. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of cascaded systems with linear and quantized observations
Authors: Wang Le Yi , Yin G. , Xu Cheng‐Zhong
Published: November 2009

This paper studies identification of systems that can be decomposed into cascaded subsystems. The benefits of using additional sensors for identifying subsystems are investigated in terms of identification accuracy and time complexity. Identification algorithms, input design, and time complexity are first developed for subsystems, under various sensor types and locations. Overall reduction in estimation errors and time complexity is then analyzed to understand optimal selection of sensor locations and impact of sensor types on identification accuracy and time complexity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Factors controlling the activity of the SERCA2a pump in the normal and failing heart
Authors: Vandecaetsbeek Ilse , Raeymaekers Luc , Wuytack Frank , Vangheluwe Peter
Published: November 2009

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in western countries and is often associated with impaired Ca2+ handling in the cardiomyocyte. In fact, cardiomyocyte relaxation and contraction are tightly controlled by the activity of the cardiac sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (ER/SR) Ca2+ pump SERCA2a, pumping Ca2+ from the cytosol into the lumen of the ER/SR. This review addresses three important facets that control the SERCA2 activity in the heart. First, we focus on the alternative splicing of the SERCA2 messenger, which is strictly regulated in the developing heart. This splicing controls the formation of three SERCA2 splice variants with different enzymatic properties. Second, we will discuss the role and regulation of SERCA2a activity in the normal and failing heart. The two well‐studied Ca2+ affinity modulators phospholamban and sarcolipin control the activity of SERCA2a within a narrow window. An aberrantly high or low Ca2+ affinity is often observed in and may even trigger cardiac failure. Correcting SERCA2a activity might therefore constitute a therapeutic approach to improve the contractility of the failing heart. Finally, we address the controversies and unanswered questions of other putative regulators of the cardiac Ca2+ pump, such as sarcalumenin, HRC, S100A1, Bcl‐2, HAX‐1, calreticulin, calnexin, ERp57, IRS‐1, and −2. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Renal glutathione transport: Identification of carriers, physiological functions, and controversies
Authors: Lash Lawrence H.
Published: November 2009

Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous tripeptide composed of the amino acidsL‐glutamate,L‐cysteine, and glycine. It is found in virtually all aerobic cells and plays critical roles in maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis and drug metabolism. An important component of its regulation is transport across biological membranes. Because GSH is a charged, hydrophilic molecule, transport occurs via catalysis by specific carrier proteins rather than by simple diffusion. Although it has been clearly understood that efflux of GSH across membranes such as the canalicular and sinusoidal plasma membranes in hepatocytes and the brush‐border plasma membrane in renal proximal tubules is a key step in GSH turnover and interorgan metabolism, the existence and physiological functions of uptake of GSH across various epithelial plasma membranes has been subject to some debate. Besides transport across plasma membranes, GSH transport across intracellular membranes, most notably the mitochondrial inner membrane, has received some attention in recent years because of the importance of mitochondrial redox status and the mitochondrial GSH pool in cellular physiology and pathology. This commentary will focus on renal transport processes for GSH and will discuss some of the controversies that have existed and still seem to exist in the literature, specifically regarding uptake of intact GSH by basolateral membranes of renal proximal tubular cells and uptake of intact GSH by the mitochondrial inner membrane. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Recent trends and some applications of isothermal titration calorimetry in biotechnology
Authors: Roselin L. Selva , Lin Ming‐Shen , Lin Po‐Hsun , Chang Yung , Chen Wen‐Yih
Published: November 2009

Isothermal titration calorimeters (ITCs) are thermodynamic instruments used for the determination of enthalpy changes in any physical/chemical reaction. This can be applied in various fields of biotechnology. This review explains ITC applications, especially in bioseparation, drug development and cell metabolism. In liquid chromatography, the separation/purification of specific proteins or polypeptides in a mixture is usually achieved by varying the adsorption affinities of the different proteins/polypeptides for the adsorbent under different mobile‐phase conditions and temperatures. Using ITC analysis, the binding mechanism of proteins with adsorbent solid material is derived by elucidating enthalpy and entropy changes, which offer valuable guidelines for designing experimental conditions in chromatographic separation. The binding affinity of a drug with its target is studied by deriving binding enthalpy and binding entropy. To improve the binding affinity, suitable lead compounds for a drug can be identified and their affinity tested by ITC. Recently ITC has also been used in studying cell metabolism. The heat produced by animal cells in culture can be used as a primary indicator of the kinetics of cell metabolism, which provides key information for drug bioactivity and operation parameters for process cell culture.
Enantioresolution of dl‐penicillamine
Authors: Bhushan Ravi , Kumar Rajender
Published: November 2009

Penicillamine (PenA) is a nonproteinogenic amino acid containing a thiol group. The three functional groups in penicillamine undergo characteristic chemical reactions and differ in their ability to participate in various chemical and biochemical reactions. d‐penicillamine is more active pharmacologically, while the l‐isomer occurs ‘naturally’. This review deals with the enantioresolution of PenA both by direct and indirect methods using liquid chromatography. HPLC separation of its diastereomers prepared with different chiral derivatizing reagents (on reversed‐phase columns) and separation of the derivatives prepared with achiral reagents (on chiral columns or via ligand exchange mode) has been discussed. Separation of enantiomers tagged with achiral reagent (to add a chromophore for ehanced detection) when there is no diastereomer formation has been considered separately. In addition, application of PenA and its derivatives as chiral selector for enentioresolution of certain other compounds has also been discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of three‐year clinical outcomes between sirolimus‐versus paclitaxel‐eluting stents in diabetic patients: Prospective randomized multicenter trial
Authors: Hong Soon Jun , Kim Moo Hyun , Cha Kwang Soo , Park Hun Sik , Chae Shung Chull , Hur Seung Ho , Gwon Hyeon Cheol , Bae Jang Ho , Lim Do‐Sun
Published: November 2009

Background: Three‐year follow‐up of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization) and the predictors of MACEs in diabetic patients after sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES) or paclitaxel‐eluting stent (PES) implantation have not been reported. Methods: Diabetic patients with de novo coronary lesions (169 patients with 190 lesions) were randomly assigned prospectively to either SES or PES. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The rates of MACEs [5.9% (n = 5) in the SES vs. 9.5% (n = 8) in the PES Group, P = 0.374] and definite stent thrombosis [1.2% (n = 1) in the SES vs. 3.6% (n = 3) in the PES Group, P = 0.368] were similar in the two groups during the three‐year follow‐up. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that insulin treatment was the only independent predictor of MACE [odds ratio (OR) 8.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.25–22.76, P < 0.001] and target vessel revascularization (TVR) (OR 9.50, 95% CI 3.07–29.44, P < 0.001) during the three‐year follow‐up. Conclusions: The rates of MACEs, TVR, and stent thrombosis during the three‐year follow‐up were similar in the SES and PES Groups. Insulin treatment was a main predictor of MACEs and TVR during the three‐year follow‐up after either SES or PES implantation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NaOH‐Promoted Hydrogen Transfer: Does NaOH or Traces of Transition Metals Catalyze the Reaction?
Authors: Ouali Armelle , Majoral Jean‐Pierre , Caminade Anne‐Marie , Taillefer Marc
Published: November 2009

NaOH is revealed as an excellent catalyst for the hydrogen transfer of a wide range of aromatic and aliphatic ketones, which can be converted in high yields into the corresponding alcohols. The method is simple, cheap, uses a nontoxic and easy‐to‐handle catalyst, and does not require strictly anhydrous reagents, an inert atmosphere, transition metals, or any additional ligands. The pathway of this reaction is still debatable: is it a Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley‐like process or are traces of transition metals present in commercial NaOH responsible for the activity? Possible mechanisms of this surprising reaction are discussed.
Mechanistic Insights into the Substrate‐Controlled Stereochemistry of Glycals in One‐Pot Rhodium‐Catalyzed Aziridination and Aziridine Ring Opening
Authors: Lorpitthaya Rujee , Xie Zhi‐Zhong , Sophy K. B. , Kuo Jer‐Lai , Liu Xue‐Wei
Published: November 2009

We carried out a principle study on the reaction mechanism of rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular aziridination and aziridine ring opening at a sugar template. A sulfamate ester group was introduced at different positions of glycal to act as a nitrene source and, moreover, to allow the study of the relative reactivity of the nitrene transfer from different sites of the glycal molecule. The structural optimization of each intermediate along the reaction pathway was extensively done by using BPW91 functional. The crucial step in the reaction is the Rh‐catalyzed nitrene transfer to the double bond of the glycal. We found that the reaction could proceed in a stepwise manner, whereby the N atom initially induced a single‐bond formation with C1 on the triplet surface or in a single step through intersystem crossing (ISC) of the triplet excited state of the rhodium–nitrene transition state to the singlet ground state of the aziridine complexes. The relative reactivity for the conversion of the nitrene species to the aziridine obtained from the computed potential energy surface (PES) agrees well with the reaction time gained from experimental observation. The aziridine ring opening is a spontaneous process because the energy barrier for the formation of the transition state is very small and disappears in the solution calculations. The regio‐ and stereoselectivity of the reaction product is controlled by the electronic property of the anomeric carbon as well as the facial preference for the nitrene insertion, and the nucleophilic addition.
Structure–Reactivity Relationships in Negishi Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Dong Zhi‐Bing , Manolikakes Georg , Shi Lei , Knochel Paul , Mayr Herbert
Published: November 2009

Competition experiments have been performed to determine the relative reactivities of substituted bromobenzenes and of different arylzinc reagents in the [Pd(PPh3)4]‐catalyzed Negishi cross‐coupling reaction in THF at 25 °C. The cross‐coupling reactions are accelerated by electron acceptors in the bromobenzenes, the effect of which increases in the order ortho <meta <para. On the other hand, electron acceptors in the arylzinc halides diminish the reaction rates. Hammett correlations show that substituent variations in the bromobenzenes (ρ=+2.5) have a larger effect than substituent variations in the arylzinc halides (ρ=−0.98).
Kinetic Resolution of the Racemic 2‐Hydroxyalkanoates Using the Enantioselective Mixed‐Anhydride Method with Pivalic Anhydride and a Chiral Acyl‐Transfer Catalyst
Authors: Shiina Isamu , Nakata Kenya , Ono Keisuke , Sugimoto Masuhiro , Sekiguchi Akihiro
Published: November 2009

A variety of optically active 2‐hydroxyalkanoates and the corresponding 2‐acyloxyalkanoates are produced by the kinetic resolution of racemic 2‐hydroxyalkanoates by using achiral 2,2‐diarylacetic acid with hindered carboxylic anhydrides as the coupling reagents. The combined use of diphenylacetic acid, pivalic anhydride, and (+)‐(R)‐benzotetramisole ((R)‐BTM) effectively produces (S)‐2‐hydroxyalkanoates and (R)‐2‐acyloxyalkanoates from the racemic 2‐hydroxyalkanoates (s‐values=47–202). This protocol directly provides the desired chiral 2‐hydroxyalkanoate derivatives from achiral diarylacetic acid and racemic secondary alcohols that do not include the sec‐phenethyl alcohol moiety by using the transacylation process to generate the mixed anhydrides from the acid components with bulky carboxylic anhydrides under the influence of the chiral acyl‐transfer catalyst. The transition state that provides the desired (R)‐2‐acyloxyalkanoate from (R)‐2‐hydroxyalkanoate included in the racemic mixture is disclosed by DFT calculations, and the structural features of the transition form are also discussed.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Dimeric Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Bonger Kimberly M. , Hoogendoorn Sascha , van Koppen Chris J. , Timmers Cornelis M. , Overkleeft Herman S. , van der Marel Gijsbert A.
Published: November 2009

A series of homo‐ and heterodimeric compounds encompassing the follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) antagonist (R)‐1 and its inactive conformer (S)‐1 connected through ethylene glycol spacers of various lengths is described. Evaluation of these compounds reveals that dimeric compounds, with a spacer of sufficient length, bearing two active copies of the antagonist are more potent relative to dimeric compounds in which one of the active pharmacophores is replaced by an inactive conformer. Interestingly, the opposite trend is observed if a short spacer is used, indicating that these compounds may be valuable tools to study FSHR dimerization in greater detail.
Multicenter phase 2 study of belotecan, a new camptothecin analog, and cisplatin for chemotherapy‐naive patients with extensive‐disease small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lee Dae Ho , Kim Sang‐We , Suh Cheolwon , Lee Jung‐Shin , Ahn Jin Seok , Ahn Myung‐Ju , Park Keunchil , Na Im‐Il , Lee Jae Cheol , Ryoo Baek‐Yeol , Yang Sung Hyun
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of belotecan, a new camptothecin analog, combined with cisplatin for the treatment of chemotherapy‐naive patients with extensive‐disease small cell lung cancer (ED SCLC).

METHODS:

Treatment consisted of belotecan 0.5 mg/m2 daily on Days 1 through 4 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2 on Day 1 of a 3‐week cycle for up to 6 cycles unless there was disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient refusal. Response assessment was done every 2 cycles using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, and toxicity assessment was done every cycle using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0.

RESULTS:

Between September 2006 and March 2008, 30 patients participated in the study. Among them, 21 patients achieved a partial response, and the response rate was 70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.6%‐85.3%); and, after a median follow‐up of 20.2 months, the median progression‐free survival was 6.9 months (95% CI, 6.3‐7.5 months), and the overall survival was 19.2 months (95% CI, 13.3‐25.2 months). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events included neutropenia in 23 patients, thrombocytopenia in 8 patients, febrile neutropenia in 9 patients, nausea in 3 patients, and pneumonia in 3 patients. There was 1 treatment‐related death from pneumonia. However, nonhematologic toxicity generally was mild and manageable.

CONCLUSIONS:

The belotecan and cisplatin combination that was studied demonstrated promising response rates and survival outcomes with a manageable toxicity profile for chemotherapy‐naive patients who had ED SCLC. The authors concluded that the combination warrants further randomized trials. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Quantitative evaluation of perceived whiteness based on a color vision model
Authors: Katayama Ichiro , Fairchild Mark D.
Published: November 2009

This article describes a new perceived whiteness index, C/V index, which focuses on the brightness‐enhancement effect of color components included in the spectral reflectance factor distribution of approximate white objects or in the spectral power distribution of illuminations. The index is developed on the basis of a color vision model. The perceived whiteness of 18 approximate white samples was evaluated, and then a predictability of the index was compared with 17 types of existing whiteness indices. As a result, the C/V index was one of the indices indicating the best predicting performance. The aforementioned findings show that the C/V index is effective in evaluating the perceived whiteness of approximate white objects and the brightness‐enhancement effect of color components is an important factor in determining the perceived whiteness. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2010
Oxidation of CO Catalyzed by a Cu Cluster: Influence of an Electric Field
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao Yonghao , Zhang Renqin , Li Ying , Lavernia Enrique J. , Jiang Qing
Published: November 2009

Adsorption ability and reaction rate are two essential parameters that define the efficiency of a catalyst. Herein, we implement density functional theory (DFT) and report that CO can be oxidized by a pyramidal Cu cluster with an associated reaction barrier Eb=1.317 eV. In this case, our transition state calculations reveal that the barrier can be significantly lowered after superimposing a negative electric field. Moreover, when the field intensity corresponds to F=−0.010 au, the magnitude of Eb=0.698 eV is equivalent to—or lower than—those of typical catalysts such as Pt, Rh, and Pd. The superimposition of a positive field is found to enhance the release of the nascent CO2 molecule. Our study demonstrates that small Cu clusters have better adsorption ability than the corresponding flat surface while the field can be used to enhance the purification of the exhaust gas.
Atmospheric DBD plasma Deposition of ECO‐Friedly Release Liners for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes
Authors: Vangeneugden D. , Dubreuil M. , Bongaers E. , Hendrix W.
Published: November 2009

The presented paper reports on the development of eco‐friendly non‐silicone containing release liners on plastic foils for pressure sensitive adhesive tapes. A solvent free process based on aerosol assisted dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma deposition was used to obtain nano‐sized coatings. Various precursors have been investigated ranging from hydrocarbons and fluorinated hydrocarbons to (meth)acrylates and fluorinated (meth)acrylates. Best results were obtained using 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate. To improved the stability of release properties upon ageing, addition of photo initiators and acrylic cross‐linkers have been evaluated. Tape adhesion tests showed stable release values below 25 cN/20 mm for 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate plasma coatings with acrylic cross‐linkers. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Particle‐in‐Cell Simulations for Ion Thrusters
Authors: Schneider R. , Matyash K. , Kalentev O. , Taccogna F. , Koch N. , Schirra M.
Published: November 2009

The Particle‐in‐Cell (PIC) method was used to study two different ion thruster concepts: Hall Effect Thrusters (HETs) and High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thrusters (HEMPs), in particular the plasma properties in the discharge chamber due to the different magnetic field configurations. Special attention was paid to the simulation of plasma particles fluxes on the thrusters inner surfaces. In both cases PIC proved itself as a powerful tool, delivering important insight into the basic physics of the different thruster concepts.The simulations demonstrated that the new HEMP thruster concept allows for a high thermal efficiency due to both minimal energy dissipation and high acceleration efficiency. In the HEMP thruster the plasma contact to the wall is limited only to very small areas of the magnetic field cusps, which results in much smaller ion flux to the thruster channel surface as compared to HET. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Atmospheric‐Pressure Plasmas for Solar Cell Manufacturing
Authors: Dani I. , Mäder G. , Grabau P. , Dresler B. , Linaschke D. , Lopez E. , Kaskel S. , Beyer E
Published: November 2009

Innovative plasma technologies operating at atmospheric pressure are especially advantageous concerning continuous processing capability. They are characterized by low costs, easy integration in existing production lines, low processing temperatures and high throughput. These economic and technological benefits are especially interesting for the manufacturing of crystalline silicon solar cells. Potential applications include PECVD as well as plasma‐chemical etching. In this work two principles of a large area plasma activation are presented: a linearly extended DC arc discharge (LARGE) and a microwave plasma (CYRANNUS). The atmosphericpressure reactors are designed for the continuous air‐to‐air processing of flat or slightly curved substrates. Gas purge systems enable the control of the atmosphere in the deposition zone and prevent the leakage of toxic gases. Extensive fluid‐dynamic modeling is used for optimization of plasma sources and reactors. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Flow cytometric measurements of TB‐specific T cells comparing with QuantiFERON‐TB gold
Authors: Won Dong Il , Park Jung Ran
Published: November 2009

Background:

Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) release assays and the detection of IFN‐γ synthesis in the cytoplasm of activated CD4+ T cells by flow cytometry have recently been used for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of IFN‐γ assay between ELISA (QuantiFERON‐TB Gold, QFT) and intracellular cytokine flow cytometry (ICCFC), and to investigate the significance of an optimal gating strategy in ICCFC.

Methods:

The CD4+ T cell response to TB antigens was measured using the intracellular cytokine staining technique and four color FC (CD3, CD4, IFN‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)) on whole blood samples. The results were compared with those of QFT.

Results:

Regarding sensitivity in the TB group, patients in the QFT positive TB group (N = 22) were all ICCFC positive and 9 patients (64%) in the QFT negative TB group (N = 14) were ICCFC positive. In all test tubes (N = 72), sensitivity of “targeted” gating for TNF‐α+ IFN‐γ+ CD4+ T cells was significantly higher than customary gating (72%, 54%, respectively, P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

The diagnostic sensitivity of ICCFC was further confirmed to be much higher than that of QFT. In the ICCFC analysis, TNF‐α+ IFN‐γ+ CD4+ T cells should be sequentially gated through appropriately defined regions, minimizing interferents and reflecting characteristics of light scatter and marker expressions of CD4+ T cells activated by TB antigens. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society