bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thrombus aspiration in primary percutaneous coronary intervention in high‐risk patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction: A real‐world registry
Authors: Mangiacapra Fabio , Wijns William , De Luca Giuseppe , Muller Olivier , Trana Catalina , Ntalianis Argyrios , Heyndrickx Guy , Vanderheyden Marc , Bartunek Jozef , De Bruyne Bernard , Barbato Emanuele
Published: January 2010

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of thrombus aspiration in a real‐world all‐comer patient population with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Background: Catheter thrombus aspiration in primary PCI was beneficial in randomized clinical trials. Methods: We enrolled 313 STEMI patients presenting with TIMI Flow Grade 0 or 1 in the infarct related artery at baseline angiogram undergoing primary PCI. Patients were divided in two groups based on whether thrombus aspiration was attempted. This decision was left at operator's discretion. Procedural and long‐term clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups: 194 (62%) received thrombus aspiration and 119 underwent conventional PCI. Thrombus aspiration was associated with significantly lower post‐PCI TIMI Frame Count values (19 ± 15 vs. 25 ± 17; P = 0.002) and higher TIMI Flow Grade 3 (92% vs. 73%; P < 0.001). Postprocedural myocardial perfusion assessed by myocardial blush grade (MBG) was significantly increased in the thrombus aspiration group (MBG 3: 44% vs. 21%; P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the two groups in clinical outcome at 30 days. At one year, patients treated with thrombus aspiration showed significantly higher overall survival (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20–0.81; log‐rank P = 0.010) and MACE‐free survival (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28–0.85; log‐rank P = 0.011). Conclusions: In real‐world all‐comer STEMI patients with occluded infarct‐related artery, thrombus aspiration prior to PCI improves coronary flow, myocardial perfusion, and long‐term clinical outcome as compared with PCI in the absence of thrombus aspiration. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐Component Langmuir–Blodgett Films Consisting of Surfactant, Clay Mineral, and Lysozyme: Construction and Characterization
Authors: Miao Shiding , Leeman Hugo , De Feyter Steven , Schoonheydt Robert A.
Published: January 2010

The Langmuir–Blodgett (L–B) technique has been employed for the construction of hybrid films consisting of three components: surfactant, clay, and lysozyme (Lys). The surfactants are octadecylammonium chloride (ODAH) and octadecyl ester of rhodamine B (RhB18). The clays include saponite and laponite. Surface pressure versus area isotherms indicate that lysozyme is adsorbed by the surfactant–clay L–B film at the air–water interface without phase transition. The UV‐visible spectra of the hybrid film ODAH–saponite–Lys show that the amount of immobilized lysozyme in the hybrid film is (1.3±0.2) ng mm−2. The average surface area (Ω) per molecule of lysozyme is approximately 18.2 nm2 in the saponite layer. For the multilayer film (ODAH–saponite–Lys)n, the average amount of lysozyme per layer is (1.0±0.1) ng mm−2. The amount of lysozyme found in the hybrid films of ODAH–laponite–Lys is at the detection limit of about 0.4 ng mm−2. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectra give evidence for clay layers, ODAH, lysozyme, and water in the hybrid film. The octadecylammonium cations are partially oxidized to the corresponding carbamate. A weak 1620 cm−1 band of lysozyme in the hybrid films is reminiscent of the presence of lysozyme aggregates. AFM reveals evidence of randomly oriented saponite layers of various sizes and shapes. Individual lysozyme molecules are not resolved, but aggregates of about 20 nm in diameter are clearly seen. Some aggregates are in contact with the clay mineral layers, others are not. These aggregates are aligned in films deposited at a surface pressure of 20 mN m−1.
Coke yield and heat transfer in reaction of liquid–solid agglomerates of Athabasca vacuum residue
Authors: Ali Mohamed , Courtney Megan , Boddez Lisa , Gray Murray
Published: January 2010

The ultimate coke yield was determined for agglomerates of Athabasca vacuum residue and coke particles by heating on Curie‐point alloy strips in an induction furnace at 503 and 530°C until all toluene‐soluble material was converted. Coke yield results from agglomerates were compared to the coke yield results from reacting thin films of vacuum residue. The average coke yield from the agglomerates was 23%, while the coke yield from thin films of 20 µm thickness was 11%, which supports the role of mass transfer in coke formation reactions. The ultimate coke yield was insensitive to vacuum residue concentration, agglomerate size, and reaction temperature. The temperature profile within agglomerates was measured by implanting a thermocouple, and a simple heat transfer model was used to describe the temperature variation with time. The effective thermal diffusivity of the agglomerates was 0.20 × 10−6 m2/s. Control experiments on reaction in thin liquid films confirmed that heating rates in the range of 14.8–148 K/s had no effect on the ultimate yield of coke yield.
Caractérisation viscoélastique du comportement d'une membrane thermoplastique et modélisation numérique de thermoformage
Authors: Erchiqui F. , Imad A. , Mouloudi A. , Hsnaoui F. Slaoui
Published: January 2010

Dans cet article nous nous intéressons, d'une part, à la caractérisation biaxiale, en soufflage libre du comportement viscoélastique des membranes thermoplastiques circulaires et amorphes, et d'autre part, à la simulation numérique de thermoformage. La membrane thermoplastique utilisée est l'ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiène styrène). Pour l'identification du comportement du thermoplastique, nous considérons le modèle intégral de Lodge. Dans un premier temps, nous utilisons la méthode des différences finies à pas variables pour la résolution du problème d'équilibre de la membrane et, ensuite, un algorithme modifié de Levenberg‐Marquardt pour minimiser la différence entre la pression calculée et celle mesurée. Ceci permet l'identification des constantes matérielles incorporées dans le modèle utilisé. Pour la simulation numérique de thermoformage, nous considérons la MEF en dynamique explicite et une charge en débit d'air qui obéit à l'équation d'état de Redlich‐Kwong des gaz réels. Pour cela, nous adoptons une formulation lagrangienne et l'hypothèse de la théorie des membranes. Le code par éléments finis résultant, nous a permis d'étudier, en thermoformage, l'influence de la loi de comportement sur la distribution finale des épaisseurs et des contraintes dans une pièce en ABS.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging of activatable target specific molecular probes
Authors: Alford Raphael , Ogawa Mikako , Hassan Moinuddin , Gandjbakhche Amir H. , Choyke Peter L. , Kobayashi Hisataka
Published: January 2010

In vivo optical imaging using fluorescently labeled self‐quenched monoclonal antibodies, activated through binding and internalization within target cells, results in excellent target‐to‐background ratios. We hypothesized that these molecular probes could be utilized to accurately report on cellular internalization with fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI). Two imaging probes were synthesized, consisting of the antibody trastuzumab (targeting HER2/neu) conjugated to Alexa Fluor750 in ratios of either 1:8 or 1:1. Fluorescence intensity and lifetime of each conjugate were initially determined at endosomal pHs. Since the 1:8 conjugate is self‐quenched, the fluorescence lifetime of each probe was also determined after exposure to the known dequencher SDS. In vitro imaging experiments were performed using 3T3/HER2+ and BALB/3T3 (HER2−) cell lines. Changes in fluorescence lifetime correlated with temperature‐ and time‐dependent cellular internalization. In vivo imaging studies in mice with dual flank tumors [3T3/HER2+ and BALB/3T3 (HER2−)] detected a minimal difference in FLI. In conclusion, fluorescence lifetime imaging monitors the internalization of target‐specific activatable antibody–fluorophore conjugates in vitro. Challenges remain in adapting this methodology to in vivo imaging. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Faderl Stefan , O'Brien Susan , Pui Ching‐Hon , Stock Wendy , Wetzler Meir , Hoelzer Dieter , Kantarjian Hagop M.
Published: January 2010

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a clonal expansion of hematopoietic blasts, is a highly heterogeneous disease comprising many entities for which distinct treatment strategies are pursued. Although ALL is a success story in pediatric oncology, results in adults lag behind those in children. An expansion of new drugs, more reliable immunologic and molecular techniques for the assessment of minimal residual disease, and efforts at more precise risk stratification are generating new aspects of adult ALL therapy. For this review, the authors summarized pertinent and recent literature on ALL biology and therapy, and they discuss current strategies and potential implications of novel approaches to the management of adult ALL. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
AZD6244 (ARRY‐142886) enhances the antitumor activity of rapamycin in mouse models of human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huynh Hung
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

The protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) and mitogen activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase kinase/extracellular regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathways have been shown to play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and angiogenesis, suggesting that inhibition of these pathways may have therapeutic potential.

METHODS:

We treated patient‐derived HCC xenografts with 1) mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (RAPA); 2) MEK inhibitor AZD6244 (ARRY‐142886); and 3) AZD6244 plus RAPA (AZD6244/RAPA). Western blotting was used to determine pharmacodynamic changes in biomarkers relevant to angiogenesis, mTOR pathway, and MEK signaling. Apoptosis, microvessel density, and cell proliferation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS:

We report here that pharmacological inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway by AZD6244 enhanced the antitumor and antiangiogenic activities of mTOR inhibitor RAPA in both orthotopic and ectopic models of HCC. Such inhibition led to increased apoptosis, decreased angiogenesis and cell proliferation, reduced expression of positive cell cycle regulators, and increase in proapoptotic protein Bim.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings indicate that the AZD6244/RAPA combination had antitumor and antiangiogenic effects in preclinical models of human HCC. Given the urgent need for effective therapies in HCC, clinical evaluating AZD6244/RAPA combination seems warranted. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Stage IV breast cancer in the era of targeted therapy
Authors: Neuman Heather B. , Morrogh Mary , Gonen Mithat , Van Zee Kimberly J. , Morrow Monica , King Tari A.
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Multiple studies have suggested that resection of the primary tumor improves survival in patients with stage IV breast cancer, yet in the era of targeted therapy, the relation between surgery and tumor molecular subtype is unknown. The objective of the current study was to identify subsets of patients who may benefit from primary tumor treatment and assess the frequency of local disease progression.

METHODS:

Patients presenting with stage IV breast cancer and intact primary tumors (n = 186) were identified from a prospectively maintained clinical database (2000‐2004) and clinical data were abstracted (grading determined according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system).

RESULTS:

Surgery was performed in 69 (37%) patients: 34 (49%) patients with unknown metastatic disease at the time of surgery, 15 (22%) patients for local control, 14 (20%) patients for palliation, and in 6 (9%) patients to obtain tissue. Surgical patients were more likely to be HER‐2/neu negative (P = .001), and to have smaller tumors (P = .05) and solitary metastasis (P <.001). Local therapy included axillary lymph node clearance in 33 (48%) patients and postoperative radiotherapy in 9 (13%) patients. The median survival was 35 months. Cox regression analysis identified estrogen receptor (ER) positivity (hazard ratio [HR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.29‐0.76), progesterone receptor (PR) positivity (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36‐0.90), and HER‐2/neu amplification (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.34‐0.77) as being predictive of improved survival. There was a trend toward improved survival with surgery (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.47‐1.06). On exploratory analyses, surgery was found to be associated with improved survival in patients with ER/PR positive or HER‐2/neu‒amplified disease (P = .004). No survival benefit was observed in patients with triple‐negative disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although a trend toward improved survival with surgery was observed, it was noted most strongly in patients with ER/PR positive and/or HER‐2/neu‒amplified disease. This suggests that the impact of local control is greatest in the presence of effective targeted therapy, and supports the need for further study to define patient subsets that will benefit most. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Single‐Electron Self‐Exchange between Cage Hydrocarbons and Their Radical Cations in the Gas Phase
Authors: Guerrero Andrés , Herrero Rebeca , Quintanilla Esther , Dávalos Juan Z. , Abboud José‐Luis M. , Coto Pedro B. , Lenoir Dieter
Published: January 2010

We show that the radical cations of adamantane (C10H16.+, 1H.+) and perdeuteroadamantane (C10D16.+, 1D.+) are stable species in the gas phase. The radical cation of adamantylideneadamantane (C20H28.+, 2H.+) is also stable (as in solution). By using the natural 13C abundances of the ions, we determine the rate constants for the reversible isergonic single‐electron transfer (SET) processes involving the dyads 1H.+/1H, 1D.+/1D and 2H.+/2H. Rate constants for the reaction 1H.++1D⇄1H+1D.+ are also determined and Marcus’ cross‐term equation is shown to hold in this case. The rate constants for the isergonic processes are extremely high, practically collision‐controlled. Ab initio computations of the electronic coupling (HDA) and the reorganization energy (λ) allow rationalization of the mechanism of the process and give insights into the possible role of intermediate complexes in the reaction mechanism.
A survey on IP‐based wireless sensor network solutions
Authors: Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , Neves Paulo A. C. S.
Published: January 2010

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are composed of thousands of smart‐sensing nodes, which capture environment data for a sink node. Such networks present new challenges when compared with traditional computer networks, namely in terms of smart node hardware constraints and very limited energy resources. Ubiquitous computing can benefit from WSNs from the perspective that sensed data can be used instead of the user without explicit intervention, turning ubiquitous computing into a reality. Internet connectivity in WSNs is highly desirable, featuring sensing services at a global scale. Two main approaches are considered: proxy based or sensor node stack based. This second approach turns sensors into data‐producing hosts also known as ‘The Internet of Things’. For years, the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite was considered inappropriate for WSNs, mainly due to the inherent complexity and protocol overhead for such limited hardware. However, recent studies made connecting WSNs to the Internet possible, namely using sensor node stack based approaches, enabling integration into the future Internet. This paper surveys the current state‐of‐the‐art on the connection of WSNs to the Internet, presents related achievements, and provides insights on how to develop IP‐based communication solutions for WSNs today. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can ‘personalized diagnostics’ promote earlier intervention for dysglycaemia? Hypothesis ready for testing
Authors: Dankner Rachel , Danoff Ann , Roth Jesse
Published: January 2010

The risk associated with progression to diabetes as well as for cardiovascular complications increases along a continuum, rather than being threshold‐dependent. How can we identify those with glucose levels in the upper reaches of normal who are most in need of a preventive intervention? With present criteria, we are likely excluding many individuals who have heightened risk. We introduce here the possibility of using a “personalized” glucose profile to encourage early intervention in subjects in whom glucose metabolism is deteriorating (on an individual level) but not yet abnormal on a population‐based norm. We further suggest that “personalized profiles” of hemoglobin A1c and basal plasma insulin may also help encourage appropriately early intervention. That the first line therapies are so effective, safe and simple make these more sensitive approaches very attractive. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Notch1 activation in mice causes arteriovenous malformations phenocopied by ephrinB2 and EphB4 mutants
Authors: Krebs Luke T. , Starling Christa , Chervonsky Alexander V. , Gridley Thomas
Published: January 2010

Notch signaling is essential for embryonic vascular development in mammals and other vertebrates. Here we show that mouse embryos with conditional activation of the Notch1 gene in endothelial cells (Notch1 gain of function embryos) exhibit defects in vascular remodeling increased diameter of the dorsal aortae, and form arteriovenous malformations. Conversely, embryos with either constitutive or endothelial cell‐specific Notch1 gene deletion also have vascular defects, but exhibit decreased diameter of the dorsal aortae and form arteriovenous malformations distinctly different from the Notch1 gain of function mutants. Surprisingly, embryos homozygous for mutations of the ephrinB/EphB pathway genes Efnb2 and Ephb4 exhibit vascular defects and arteriovenous malformations that phenocopy the Notch1 gain of function mutants. These results suggest that formation of arteriovenous malformations in Notch1 gain of function mutants and ephrinB/EphB pathway loss of function mutant embryos occurs by different mechanisms. genesis 48:146–150, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of an HLA‐C‐restricted CTL response in chronic HIV infection
Authors: Makadzange Azure T. , Gillespie Geraldine , Dong Tao , Kiama Peter , Bwayo Job , Kimani Joshua , Plummer Frank , Easterbrook Philippa , Rowland‐Jones Sarah L.
Published: January 2010

HIV‐specific CTL play an important role in the host control of HIV infection. HIV‐nef may facilitate escape of HIV‐infected cells from CTL recognition by selectively downregulating the expression of HLA‐A and HLA‐B molecules, while surface expression of HLA‐C is unaffected. The HLA‐C‐restricted CTL responses have previously been largely ignored and poorly characterized. We examined the frequency, function, and phenotype of HLA‐C‐restricted CTL in ten antiretroviral therapy‐naïve Caucasian and African individuals with chronic HIV‐1 infection (for at least 8 years; CD4 cell counts in the range of 50–350) who carried the HLA‐Cw04 allele. HLA‐Cw04‐restricted CTL that recognize a conserved epitope within HIV‐1 envelope (aa 375‐383 SF9) were analyzed using IFN‐γ ELISPOT assays and phenotypic analysis was carried out by flow cytometry. HLA‐C‐restricted CTL play an important role in the HIV‐specific response, and can account for as much as 54% of the total response. HLA‐C‐restricted CTL are functionally and phenotypically identical to HLA‐A‐ and HLA‐B‐restricted CTL. HLA‐C‐restricted CTL in chronic HIV infection are memory cells of an intermediate phenotype, characterized by high CD27 and low CD28 expression and lack of perforin production.
FcεRI β‐chain ITAM amplifies PI3K‐signaling to ensure synergistic degranulation responseviaFcεRI and adenosine receptors
Authors: Nunomura Satoshi , Gon Yasuhiro , Yoshimaru Tetsuro , Kashiwakura Junichi , Kawakami Toshiaki , Ra Chisei
Published: January 2010

Simultaneous stimulation with antigen and adenosine in mast cells induces a synergistic degranulation response at a low antigen dose that is insufficient to cause secretion by itself. This kind of stimulation is thought to be relevant to the immediate asthmatic response upon bronchial challenge with low‐dose allergen. In this context, FcεRI‐ and adenosine receptor‐mediated signalings cooperate to increase degranulation in mast cells. In the present study, we prepared mast cells that have mutations (Y219F/Y225F/Y229F) in three tyrosine residues of the FcεRI β‐chain (FcRβ)‐ITAM in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of degranulation response synergistically elicited by costimulation with low‐dose antigen and adenosine. Introduction of mutations in the FcRβ‐ITAM abolished the synergistic degranulation response. Upon costimulation with low‐dose antigen and adenosine, tyrosine phosphorylation of Grb2‐associated binder 2, which is located upstream of PI3K‐signaling, was significantly increased, but severely diminished in FcRβ‐ITAM mutant cells. These findings indicate that FcRβ acts as a critical element in mast cell synergistic degranulation response through FcεRI and adenosine receptors, and that PI3K‐signaling through FcRβ‐ITAM is a crucial participant in augmentation of FcεRI‐mediated degranulation by adenosine.
Involvement of CD91 and scavenger receptors in Hsp70‐facilitated activation of human antigen‐specific CD4+ memory T cells
Authors: Fischer Nadja , Haug Markus , Kwok William W. , Kalbacher Hubert , Wernet Dorothee , Dannecker Guenther E. , Holzer Ursula
Published: January 2010

Hsp70 plays several roles in the adaptive immune response. Based on the ability to interact with diverse peptides, extracellular Hsp70:peptide complexes exert profound effects both in autoimmunity and in tumor rejection by evoking potent T cell responses to the chaperoned peptide. The interaction with receptors on APC represents the basis for the immunological functions of Hsp70 and a critical point where the immune response can be regulated. Various surface proteins (e.g. CD91, scavenger receptors (SR)) have been implicated in binding of Hsp70. In this study, antigenic peptides from tetanus toxin and influenza hemagglutinin complexed to human stress‐inducible Hsp70 were found to enhance the proliferation and cytokine production of human antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells. This was demonstrated in proliferation experiments using human monocytes as APC. Proliferated antigen‐specific cells were detected combining HLA‐DRB1*0401 or HLA‐DRB1*1101 tetramer and CFSE staining. Treating monocytes with CD91 siRNA diminished these effects. Additional blocking of SR by the SR ligand fucoidan completely abolished enhanced proliferation and production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Taken together, our data indicate that in the human system, CD91 and members of the SR family efficiently direct Hsp70:peptide complexes into the MHC class II presentation pathway and thus enhance antigen‐specific CD4+ T cell responses.
Phenolic compounds and some quality parameters of pumpkin seed oil
Authors: Andjelkovic Mirjana , Van Camp John , Trawka Agniezska , Verhé Roland
Published: January 2010

Pumpkin seed oil has become a recognized source of phenolic compounds. The main aim of this paper was to evaluate the concentration of phenolic compounds and their extraction from pumpkin seed oil. The total phenolics content (TPC) measured in the pumpkin seed oil samples ranged from 24.71 to 50.93 mg GAE/kg of oil. The individual phenolics were tyrosol, vanillic acid, vanillin, luteolin and sinapic acid. Hexane and acetone were the best solvents for the washing step, and methanol for the elution of the phenolics in the solid‐phase extraction (diol‐SPE), whereas bleaching caused a significant increase in the TPC obtained (24.5–30.7%). Additionally, some other oil characteristics were evaluated. The mean oxidative stability of the oils (OSI) was around 4 h, with 5.43 h for the most stable oil. The maximum antioxidant capacity measured by the reduction of the DPPH radical was 62%, which was comparable to 0.16 mM Trolox equivalent. The color of the oil was expressed by L*a*b* coefficients and its hue and saturation. Whereas all samples had similar lightness, their rates of green, red, yellow and blue color were different. Moreover, TPC correlated negatively with lightness, b* and saturation (–0.49, –0.48, and –0.43), and positively with a* and hue (0.58 and 0.52).
Vegetable oil‐based triols from hydroformylated fatty acids and polyurethane elastomers
Authors: Petrović Zoran S. , Cvetković Ivana , Hong DooPyo , Wan Xianmei , Zhang Wei , Abraham Timothy W. , Malsam Jeffrey
Published: January 2010

Novel bio‐based polyols were prepared from hydroformylated oleic acid (9/10‐hydroxymethyl‐octadecanoic acid) methyl esters (HFME) and trimethylolpropane by transesterification. Hydroformylation produces primary hydroxyls, which allow relatively lower transesterification temperatures and better yields than hydroxy fatty acids with secondary hydroxyl groups. These non‐crystallizing polyols have no double bonds and their viscosities are acceptable. Polyurethane (PU) elastomers prepared by reaction of these polyols with diphenylmethane diisocyanate had glass transition temperatures from –33 to –56 °C, depending on the molecular weight of the triols. Tensile strength and Shore A hardness were higher, and elongation, swelling and sol fraction lower than those of corresponding networks from polyricinoleic acid polyols. The plasticizing effect of longer dangling chains in HFME‐based PU compensated, to a degree, the presence of double bonds in ricinoleic acid, effectively resulting in similar glass transitions between the two families of polyols.
The refinement of renewable resources: New important derivatives of fatty acids and glycerol
Authors: Behr Arno , Gomes Jessica Pérez
Published: January 2010

During the last years, the industrial significance of renewable resources has highly increased. The ever‐growing use of fossil resources for energy consumption, polymers, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals and the therefore steadily increasing price favour the substitution of oil and gas by renewable resources. Here, especially products of catalytic functionalisations of vegetable fats and oils such as rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, palm oil or coconut oil play a decisive role. The present article gives a survey of several important catalytic functionalisations of fatty compounds and glycerol resulting in new attractive products. With their emerging properties, they could find a rapid introduction into the chemical market. Particularly the functionalisations via heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, like additions, reductions, oxidations and metathesis reactions, will be presented.
Biocompatible surfactants from renewable hydrophiles
Authors: Infante Ma Rosa , Pérez Lourdes , Morán Ma Carmen , Pons Ramon , Mitjans Montserrat , Vinardell Ma Pilar , Garcia Ma Teresa , Pinazo Aurora
Published: January 2010

Significant advances made by the authors in the field of cationic surfactants derived from arginine and lysine hydrophilic sources of different structure are reviewed. Linear, gemini and glycerolipid‐like structures with polar groups consisting of Arg or Lys amino acids are described. Our multidisciplinary approach includes design, synthesis, adsorption at interfaces and self‐assembly behavior, antimicrobial activity, and studies of biocompatibility including ecotoxicity, biodegradability and irritation effects. Considering the green chemistry principles, the synthesis contemplates the preparation of more efficient and safer surfactants using renewable raw materials for the synthesis of surfactants: proteins, peptides, amino acids and triacylglycerols, using biocatalysis as condensating methodology, and designing for biodegradation. Also in order to increase the efficiency of these compounds, a complete characterization including self‐assembly, ecotoxicity, biodegradability, and studies of mechanisms of toxicity has been carried out. The structure of the surfactant molecule affects micellization and not the nature of the polar head (Arg or Lys). The critical micelle concentrations of the gemini surfactants are three orders of magnitude lower than the linear ones for the same alkyl chain length. The presence of a cationic charge in the amino acid provides antimicrobial activity to these compounds.
Surfactants from oleic, erucic and petroselinic acid: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Dierker Markus , Schäfer Hans J.
Published: January 2010

Most surfactants are based on C12 and C14 chains from fatty acids and contain alkanols obtained from ethylene. Readily available fatty acids with C18 and C22 chains are barely used due to their lower water solubility and less suitable structure for micelle formation. To overcome these deficiencies, we attached polar groups to terminal and/or internal positions of oleic, petroselinic and erucic acid. Internal diols were prepared by epoxidation and acid‐catalyzed ring opening or by bishydroxylation with catalytic amounts of osmium tetroxide. Terminal alcohols were prepared by reduction of the methyl esters. For the synthesis of the non‐ionic surfactants, the alcohols were reacted with the p‐toluenesulfonates of di‐, tri‐ and tetraethyleneglycols or the epoxide ring was opened with the corresponding oligoethyleneglycols. This way, ethoxylates free of homologues were obtained. Sodium sulfate surfactants were prepared by reacting the mono‐, di‐ and triols with different equivalents of chlorosulfonic acid. From the purified products, the spectroscopic and the surfactant properties were determined. The latter are in many cases equal or better than those of commercial ionic and non‐ionic surfactants based on C12 and C14 carbon chains.
Castor oil as a renewable resource for the chemical industry
Authors: Mutlu Hatice , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: January 2010

Castor oil is, as many other plant oils, a very valuable renewable resource for the chemical industry. This review article provides an overview on this specialty oil, covering its production and properties. More importantly, the preparation, properties and major application possibilities of chemical derivatives of castor oil are highlighted. Our discussion focuses on application possibilities of castor oil and its derivatives for the synthesis of renewable monomers and polymers. An overview of recent developments in this field is provided and selected examples are discussed in detail, including the preparation and characterization of castor oil‐derived polyurethanes, polyesters and polyamides.
Esters of calendula oil and tung oil as reactive diluents for alkyd resins
Authors: Biermann Ursula , Butte Werner , Holtgrefe Ralf , Feder Willi , Metzger Jürgen O.
Published: January 2010

A simple protocol for the transesterification of highly unsaturated vegetable oils such as calendula oil and tung oil, catalyzed by sodium methoxide, is described. Calendula oil contained about 59–65% of calendic acid (8,10‐trans,12‐cis‐octadecatrienoic acid) (1a), and tung oil about 84% of α‐eleostearic acid (9‐cis,11,13‐trans‐octadecatrienoic acid) (2a). Transesterifications of calendula oil with alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol give the respective calendula oil esters, which were tested as reactive diluents for alkyd resins in coating formulations. Especially ethyl and isopropyl calendula oil esters showed good properties, including low viscosity and good drying performance. Furthermore, a shortening of the drying time of about 35–40% compared to conventionally prepared formulations was achieved. Analogously, the respective esters of tung oil were synthesized and used as reactive diluent.
Biogenic origin of coastal honeycomb weathering
Authors: Mustoe George E.
Published: January 2010

Honeycomb weathering occurs in two environments in Late Cretaceous and Eocene sandstone outcrops along the coastlines of south‐west Oregon and north‐west Washington, USA, and south‐west British Columbia, Canada. At these sites honeycomb weathering is found on subhorizontal rock surfaces in the intertidal zone, and on steep faces in the salt spray zone above the mean high tide level. In both environments, cavity development is initiated by salt weathering. In the intertidal zone, cavity shapes and sizes are primarily controlled by wetting/drying cycles, and the rate of development greatly diminishes when cavities reach a critical size where the amount of seawater left by receding tides is so great that evaporation no longer produces saturated solutions. Encrustations of algae or barnacles may also inhibit cavity enlargement. In the supratidal spray zone, honeycomb weathering results from a dynamic balance between the corrosive action of salt and the protective effects of endolithic microbes. Subtle environmental shifts may cause honeycomb cavity patterns to continue to develop, to become stable, or to coalesce to produce a barren surface. Cavity patterns produced by complex interactions between inorganic processes and biologic activity provide a geological model of ‘self‐organization’. Surface hardening is not a factor in honeycomb formation at these study sites. Salt weathering in coastal environments is an intermittently active process that requires particular wind and tidal conditions to provide a supply of salt water, and temperature and humidity conditions that cause evaporation. Under these conditions, salt residues may be detectable in honeycomb‐weathered rock, but absent at other times. Honeycomb weathering can form in only a few decades, but erosion rates are retarded in areas of the rock that contain cavity patterns relative to adjacent non‐honeycombed surfaces. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping hydraulic biotopes using terrestrial laser scan data of water surface properties
Authors: Milan D.J. , Heritage G.L. , Large A.R.G. , Entwistle N.S.
Published: January 2010

For more than a decade, habitat mapping using biotopes (in‐channel hydraulically‐defined habitats) has underpinned aquatic conservation in the UK through (a) providing baseline information on system complexity and (b) allowing environmental and ecological change to be monitored and evaluated. The traditional method used is the subjective river habitat or corridor survey. This has recently been revised to include the floodplain via GeoRHS, but issues still exist concerning development of a national database due to the labour intensive nature of the data collection, subjectivity issues between samplers, temporal changes, the fuzzy nature of perceived habitats and habitat boundaries. This paper takes an innovative approach to biotope definition using high resolution spatial data to define water surface roughness for two representative reaches of the River South Tyne, Cumbria, and the River Rede, Northumberland, UK. Data was collected using a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and hydraulic variability simply expressed through assigning a local standard deviation value to a set of adjacent water surface values. Statistical linkage of these data with biotope locations defined visually in the field allowed complete mapping of the surveyed reach defining habitat and biotope areas to the fine scale resolution of the TLS data. Despite issues of data loss due to absorption and transmission through the water, the reflected signal generated an extremely detailed and objective map of the water surface roughness, which may be compared with known biotope locations as defined by visual identification in the field. The TLS accuracy achieved in the present study is comparable with those obtained using hyperspectral imagery: with 84% of the pool/glide/marginal deadwater amalgamated biotope, 88% of riffles, 57% of runs and 50% of the amalgamated cascade/rapid biotope successfully plotted. It is clear from this exercise that biotope distribution is more complex than previously mapped using subjective techniques, and based upon the water surface roughness delimiters presented in this study, the amalgamation of pools with glides and marginal deadwaters, riffles with unbroken standing waves, and cascades with rapids, is proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Comparison of LiDAR waveform processing methods for very shallow water bathymetry using Raman, near‐infrared and green signals
Authors: Allouis Tristan , Bailly Jean‐Stéphane , Pastol Yves , Le Roux Catherine
Published: January 2010

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) bathymetry appears to be a useful technology for bed topography mapping of non‐navigable areas, offering high data density and a high acquisition rate. However, few studies have focused on continental waters, in particular, on very shallow waters (<2 m) where it is difficult to extract the surface and bottom positions that are typically mixed in the green LiDAR signal. This paper proposes two new processing methods for depth extraction based on the use of different LiDAR signals [green, near‐infrared (NIR), Raman] of the SHOALS‐1000T sensor. They have been tested on a very shallow coastal area (Golfe du Morbihan, France) as an analogy to very shallow rivers. The first method is based on a combination of mathematical and heuristic methods using the green and the NIR LiDAR signals to cross validate the information delivered by each signal. The second method extracts water depths from the Raman signal using statistical methods such as principal components analysis (PCA) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. The obtained results are then compared to the reference depths, and the performances of the different methods, as well as their advantages/disadvantages are evaluated. The green/NIR method supplies 42% more points compared to the operator process, with an equivalent mean error (−4·2 cm verusu −4·5 cm) and a smaller standard deviation (25·3 cm verusu 33·5 cm). The Raman processing method provides very scattered results (standard deviation of 40·3 cm) with the lowest mean error (−3·1 cm) and 40% more points. The minimum detectable depth is also improved by the two presented methods, being around 1 m for the green/NIR approach and 0·5 m for the statistical approach, compared to 1·5 m for the data processed by the operator. Despite its ability to measure other parameters like water temperature, the Raman method needed a large amount of reference data to provide reliable depth measurements, as opposed to the green/NIR method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of lone motherhood on the smoking behavior of young adults
Authors: Francesconi Marco , Jenkins Stephen P. , Siedler Thomas
Published: January 2010

We provide evidence that living with an unmarried mother during childhood raises smoking propensities for young adults in Germany. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coordination of size and number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses results in a balanced structural plasticity along mature hippocampal CA1 dendrites during LTP
Authors: Bourne Jennifer N. , Harris Kristen M.
Published: January 2010

Enlargement of dendritic spines and synapses correlates with enhanced synaptic strength during long‐term potentiation (LTP), especially in immature hippocampal neurons. Less clear is the nature of this structural synaptic plasticity on mature hippocampal neurons, and nothing is known about the structural plasticity of inhibitory synapses during LTP. Here the timing and extent of structural synaptic plasticity and changes in local protein synthesis evidenced by polyribosomes were systematically evaluated at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses on CA1 dendrites from mature rats following induction of LTP with theta‐burst stimulation (TBS). Recent work suggests dendritic segments can act as functional units of plasticity. To test whether structural synaptic plasticity is similarly coordinated, we reconstructed from serial section transmission electron microscopy all of the spines and synapses along representative dendritic segments receiving control stimulation or TBS‐LTP. At 5 min after TBS, polyribosomes were elevated in large spines suggesting an initial burst of local protein synthesis, and by 2 h only those spines with further enlarged synapses contained polyribosomes. Rapid induction of synaptogenesis was evidenced by an elevation in asymmetric shaft synapses and stubby spines at 5 min and more nonsynaptic filopodia at 30 min. By 2 h, the smallest synaptic spines were markedly reduced in number. This synapse loss was perfectly counterbalanced by enlargement of the remaining excitatory synapses such that the summed synaptic surface area per length of dendritic segment was constant across time and conditions. Remarkably, the inhibitory synapses showed a parallel synaptic plasticity, also demonstrating a decrease in number perfectly counterbalanced by an increase in synaptic surface area. Thus, TBS‐LTP triggered spinogenesis followed by loss of small excitatory and inhibitory synapses and a subsequent enlargement of the remaining synapses by 2 h. These data suggest that dendritic segments coordinate structural plasticity across multiple synapses and maintain a homeostatic balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs through local protein‐synthesis and selective capture or redistribution of dendritic resources. ©2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cannabinoids alter spontaneous firing, bursting, and cell synchrony of hippocampal principal cells
Authors: Goonawardena Anushka V. , Riedel Gernot , Hampson Robert E.
Published: January 2010

Both natural and synthetic cannabinoid receptor (e.g., CB1) agonists such as Δ9‐THC, WIN 55,212‐2 (WIN‐2), and HU‐210 disrupt spatial cognition presumably through the inhibition of synchrony of hippocampal ensemble firing to task‐related events. Although the CB1 receptor agonist CP 55,940 also disrupts the synchronous firing of hippocampal neurons, it does not seem to affect the average firing rate. This difference is not readily explained by the chemical structure and pharmacology of the different compounds thus warranting a more detailed examination into (i) how other cannabinoids affect the spontaneous firing, bursting, and cell synchrony of hippocampal principal cells located in CA3 and CA1 subfields, and (ii) whether these effects are indeed mediated through CB1 receptors, which will be explored by the selective antagonist AM‐251. Male Long‐Evans rats surgically implanted with multielectrode arrays to hippocampal CA3 and CA1 were anesthetized and principal cells discharging at 0.25–6.0 Hz were isolated and “tracked” following the systemic administration of Tween‐80, Δ9‐THC (1 or 3 mg/kg) or WIN‐2 (1 mg/kg) or HU‐210 (100 μg/kg), and 1.5 mg/kg AM‐281. All cannabinoids except for 1 mg/kg Δ9‐THC reliably reduced average firing rates and altered “burst” characteristics, which were reversible with AM‐281 for Δ9‐THC and WIN‐2 but not for HU‐210. In addition, all cannabinoids disrupted intrasubfield and intersubfield ensemble synchrony of pyramidal cells, which is an effect insensitive to AM‐281 and thus unlikely to be CB1 mediated. We consider these cannabinoid effects on spike timing and firing/bursting of principal hippocampal neurons carried by CB1 and non‐CB1 receptors to be physiological underpinnings of the cognitive impairments inherent to cannabinoid exposure. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Getting the most from MBA internships: Promoting intern learning and job acceptance
Authors: Beenen Gerard , Rousseau Denise M.
Published: January 2010

MBA internships are commonly used for training and recruiting management talent. Yet, research overlooks what makes them effective. A longitudinal study investigates the relationships that goal clarity, autonomy, and prior experience have with MBA intern learning and job acceptance intentions. Results show learning partially mediates the relationship of goal clarity to job acceptance intentions, and that less experienced MBA interns learn more under conditions of high goal clarity and low autonomy (i.e., when their roles are more structured). We discuss how role structures and learning can inform effective training and recruiting of interns, and management of short‐term workers in general. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding of the Common Land Model performance for water and energy fluxes in a farmland during the growing season in Korea
Authors: Choi Minha , Lee Seung Oh , Kwon Hyojung
Published: January 2010

The Common Land Model (CLM) is one of the most widely used land surface models (LSMs) due to the practicality of its simple parameterization scheme and its versatility in embracing a variety of field datasets. The improved assessment of land surface water and energy fluxes using CLM can be an alternative approach for understanding the complex land–atmosphere interactions in data‐limited regions. The understanding of water and energy cycles in a farmland is crucial because it is a dominant land feature in Korea and Asia. However, the applications of CLM to farmland in Korea are in paucity. The simulations of water and energy fluxes by CLM were conducted against those from the tower‐based measurements during the growing season of 2006 at the Haenam site (a farmland site) in Korea without optimization. According to the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP) land cover classification, a homogeneous cropland was selected initially for this study. Although the simulated soil moisture had a similar pattern to that of the observed, the former was relatively drier (at 0·1 m3 m−3) than the latter. The simulated net radiation showed good agreement with the observed, with a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 41 W m−2, whereas relatively large discrepancies between the simulation and observation were found in sensible (RMSE of 66 W m−2) and latent (RMSE of 60 W m−2) heat fluxes. On the basis of the sensitivity analysis, soil moisture was more receptive to land cover and soil texture parameterizations when compared to soil temperature and turbulent fluxes. Despite the uncertainty in the predictive capability of CLM employed without optimization, the initial performance of CLM suggests usefulness in a data‐limited heterogeneous farmland in Korea. Further studies are required to identify the controls on water and energy fluxes with an improved parameterization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell‐penetrating peptides: Nanocarrier for macromolecule delivery in living cells
Authors: Chugh Archana , Eudes François , Shim Youn‐Seb
Published: January 2010

Novel classes and applications of cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) are being constantly discovered since they were first identified 2 decades ago. These short cationic peptides (nanomolecules) either by covalent binding or by noncovalent binding can traverse cell membranes and deliver a variety of molecules that are unable to overcome the permeability barrier in their own capacity. The ability of the CPPs to deliver variety of macromolecules, such as oligonucleotides, therapeutic drugs, proteins, and medical imaging agents, by forming nanoparticulate carriers in a range of cells has led them to emerge as a potential tool for both macromolecule delivery application and to gain insight into the fundamentals of mechanism of cellular uptake across the plasma membrane. This review explores the recent advances, challenges, and future prospects in the field of CPP‐mediated cargo delivery in mammalian and plant cells. Studies have been conducted into the peptide chemistry and stability of CPP‐macromolecular complexes. Most of the CPPs have been shown to be nontoxic and do not interfere with the functionality of the macromolecules delivered across the cell membrane. The mechanism of uptake of CPP‐cargo complexes and the uptake of CPPs alone across the plasma membrane remains unresolved. As the world of CPPs is rapidly advancing in both mammalian and plant system, there is a promising future for the various applications of transduction and transfection into intact cells. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(3): 183–193, 2010