bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oriented Electric Fields Accelerate Diels–Alder Reactions and Control the endo/exo Selectivity
Authors: Meir Rinat , Chen Hui , Lai Wenzhen , Shaik Sason
Published: January 2010

Herein we demonstrate that an external electric field (EEF) acts as an accessory catalyst/inhibitor for Diels–Alder (DA) reactions. When the EEF is oriented along the “reaction axis” (the coordinate of approach of the reactants in the reaction path), the barrier of the DA reactions is lowered by a significant amount, equivalent to rate enhancements by 4–6 orders of magnitude. Simply flipping the EEF direction has the opposite effect, and the EEF acts as an inhibitor. Additionally, an EEF oriented perpendicular to the “reaction axis” in the direction of the individual molecule dipoles can change the endo/exo selectivity, favouring one or the other depending on the positive/negative directions of the EEF vis‐à‐vis the individual molecular dipole. At some critical value of the EEF along the “reaction axis”, there is a crossover to a stepwise mechanism that involves a zwitterionic intermediate. The valence bond diagram model is used to comprehend these trends and to derive a selection rule for EEF effects on chemical reactions: an EEF aligned in the direction of the electron flow between the reactants will lower the reaction barrier. It is shown that the exo/endo control by the EEF is not associated with changes in secondary orbital interactions.
Liqui‐PREP® versus conventional papanicolaou smear to detect cervical cells abnormality by split‐sample technique: A randomized double‐blind controlled trial
Authors: Jesdapatarakul Somnuek , Tangjitgamol Siriwan , Nguansangiam Sudarat , Manusirivithaya Sumonmal
Published: January 2010

To assess the diagnostic performances of LiquiPrep® (LP) to detect cervical cellular abnormality in comparison to Papanicolaou (Pap) smear in 194 women with abnormal cervical cytology who were scheduled for colposcopy at the institution between January 2008 and November 2008. The women were randomized to undergo a repeated cervical cytologic evaluation by Pap smear followed by LP, or the two methods in alternating order. The pathologist was blinded to previous cytologic diagnosis and the pair of slides assigned for each woman. Cytologic results from each method were compared to subsequent histopathology. Mean screening time for each LP and Pap slides were 4.3 ± 1.2 minutes and 5.4 ± 1.1 minutes, respectively (P < 0.001). From 194 cases, ASC or AGC were diagnosed in 72 cases (37.1%) from LP and 68 cases (35.1%) from Pap smear. After excluding the ASC/AGC group, the overall cytologic diagnostic agreement between the two tests were 69 of 87 cases (73.6%) while the agreements with histologic diagnoses were 39/87 cases from LP (44.8%) and 41 (47.1%) from Pap smear (P = 0.824). The accuracy of LP was not significantly different from Pap test, 43.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.8–52.1%) compared to 44.4% (95% CI: 35.7–53.1%). LP did not have superior performance over Pap test to detect high‐grade lesions (≥cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II) using ASC/AGC as the threshold with the sensitivity of 70.5% (95% CI: 64.0–76.9%) versus 77.3% (95% CI: 71.4–83.2%), respectively. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2011;39:22–27. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early life handling decreases serotonin turnover in the nucleus accumbens and affects feeding behavior of adult rats
Authors: Portella A.K. , Silveira P.P. , Diehl L.A. , Crema L.M. , Clemente Z. , Peres W. , Costa G. , Scorza C. , Quillfeldt J.A. , Dalmaz C.
Published: January 2010

In our previous studies, we reported that neonatally handled rats have an increased ingestion of sweet food but are resistant to the damaging effects of a chronic exposure to a highly palatable diet. Accumbal serotonin (5‐HT) is important for feeding behavior and plays a role in the vulnerability to diet‐induced obesity. Therefore, our hypotheses were (1) 5‐HT turnover in the nucleus accumbens is altered in neonatally handled animals and plays a role in their differential feeding behavior and (2) if this is so, a chronic pharmacological treatment affecting 5‐HT reuptake (chronic imipramine) would be able to revert the behavioral findings. Litters were divided into nonhandled and handled (10 min/day, Days 1–10 after birth). In Experiment 1, we demonstrated that a decreased 5‐HT metabolism in the nucleus accumbens was observed in adult handled animals. In Experiment 2, the two previous groups were subdivided and assigned to receive imipramine diluted in water or water alone. After 30 days of treatment, we evaluated their weight gain and feeding behavior. Handled rats weighed less than nonhandled rats, and all imipramine‐treated rats showed a reduction in weight gain after 60 days of treatment. Imipramine reverted the increased sweet food consumption seen in neonatally handled rats. We conclude that serotonin is involved in the altered feeding behavior of neonatally handled rats, and this protocol is an important tool for studying the mechanisms by which early life events have a long‐term impact on feeding preferences. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 52:190–196, 2010
Uniting couples (in the treatment of) anorexia nervosa (UCAN)
Authors: Bulik Cynthia M. , Baucom Donald H. , Kirby Jennifer S. , Pisetsky Emily
Published: January 2010

Objective:

To describe the development of a novel couple‐based cognitive‐behavioral intervention for adult anorexia nervosa (AN) called Uniting Couples (in the treatment of) Anorexia Nervosa (UCAN).

Method:

We review the state of the science for the treatment of adult AN, the nature of relationships in AN, our model of couple functioning in AN, and the development of the UCAN intervention.

Results:

We present the UCAN treatment for patients with AN and their partners and discuss important considerations in the delivery of the intervention.

Discussion:

With further evaluation, we expect that UCAN will emerge to be an effective, acceptable, disseminable, and developmentally tailored intervention that will serve to improve both core AN pathology as well as couple functioning. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:19–28)
Robust H∞ filter design for uncertain systems with time‐varying delays
Authors: Yoneyama Jun
Published: January 2010

This paper is concerned with robust filters with H∞ disturbance attenuation for a class of uncertain linear systems with time‐varying delays. We develop a sufficient condition that guarantees the H∞ disturbance attenuation for an error dynamics of an uncertain time‐delay system and its filter. Based on such a sufficient condition, we give a design method of robust filters with H∞ disturbance attenuation for uncertain time‐delay systems. Finally, numerical examples show the effectiveness of our methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(2): 25–31, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www. interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10222
Basic study of pole change generator for micro windmill generation system
Authors: Yukita Kazuto , Kainuma Yoshihiro , Iwase Yoshinao , Goto Yasuyuki , Ichiyanagi Katsuhiro , Kusakabe Tesuro
Published: January 2010

This paper proposes a pole change generator for a windmill. Since micro windmill systems generate power from natural energy, power generation characteristics across a wide band are necessary. However, the conventional generator, in which the open voltage is simply proportional to the rotational velocity, encounters difficulty in generating power across a wide range of rotational velocities from low to high, because of the power generation characteristics. To develop a generator with a wide power band suitable for a micro windmill, this paper proposes a technique for switching the status of the generator coil connection. To demonstrate the effectiveness of pole changing, we use a pole‐changing generator with 16 coils as an example. The coils can be connected using four patterns: 16‐pole series, 8‐pole 2‐parallel, 4‐pole 4‐parallel, and 2‐pole 8‐parallel. Theoretical and experimental studies from this point of view demonstrate that this technique is effective. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 171(1): 28–36, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20873
Regulatory T cells in human geohelminth infection suppress immune responses to BCG and Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Wammes Linda J. , Hamid Firdaus , Wiria Aprilianto E. , de Gier Brechje , Sartono Erliyani , Maizels Rick M. , Luty Adrian J. F. , Fillié Yvonne , Brice Gary T. , Supali Taniawati , Smits Hermelijn H. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria
Published: January 2010

Chronic helminth infections induce T‐cell hyporesponsiveness, which may affect immune responses to other pathogens or to vaccines. This study investigates the influence of Treg activity on proliferation and cytokine responses to BCG and Plasmodium falciparum‐parasitized RBC in Indonesian schoolchildren. Geohelminth‐infected children's in vitro T‐cell proliferation to either BCG or pRBC was reduced compared to that of uninfected children. Although the frequency of CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ T cells was similar regardless of infection status, the suppressive activity differed between geohelminth‐infected and geohelminth‐uninfected groups: Ag‐specific proliferative responses increased upon CD4+CD25hi T‐cell depletion in geohelminth‐infected subjects only. In addition, IFN‐γ production in response to both BCG and parasitized RBC was increased after removal of CD4+CD25hi T cells. These data demonstrate that geohelminth‐associated Treg influence immune responses to bystander Ag of mycobacteria and plasmodia. Geohelminth‐induced immune modulation may have important consequences for co‐endemic infections and vaccine trials.
Microporous Silica Hollow Microspheres and Hollow Worm‐Like Materials: A Simple Method for Their Synthesis and Their Application in Controlled Release
Authors: Zhao Mingwei , Gao Yanan , Zheng Liqiang , Kang Wenpei , Bai Xiangtao , Dong Bin
Published: January 2010

Hollow silica microspheres and hollow worm‐like materials were synthesized by using a simple method with the aid of 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide (C12mimBr). Hollow silica microspheres were initially produced by utilizing the combination of evaporation and an emulsion template. At a longer mixing time, the microspheres fused to form hollow worm‐like silica materials due to the fusion of the emulsion templates. The resultant silica materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption. Both the hollow silica microspheres and the hollow worm‐like materials are microporous. On the basis of experimental observations and the resulting products, a plausible formation mechanism is proposed. Preliminary tests demonstrate that the hollow silica microspheres and worm‐like materials are capable of being loaded with Rhodamine B and releasing it, thus showing a great potential in controlled delivery applications.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Physico‐Chemical Studies of Neodymium and Erbium Methoxides Containing Thienyl Substituents
Authors: Veith Michael , Belot Céline , Huch Volker , Cui Hai Ling , Guyard Laurent , Knorr Michael , Wickleder Claudia
Published: January 2010

Two novel mononuclear neodymium alkoxides [Nd{OC(C14H11S2)}3(thf)3]·thf (9) and [Nd{OC(C16H13S)}3(thf)3]·thf (10) have been prepared by the reaction between Nd[N(SiMe3)2]3 and the tertiary alcohols HO–C(C14H11S2) (3) and HO–C(C16H13S) (4). The geometry around the neodymium metal is almost octahedral with a facial ligand arrangement similar to [Nd{OC(C8H5S2)3}3(thf)3]·4thf (5), [Nd{OC(C4H3S)3}3(thf)3]·thf (7) and Er[OC(C4H3S)3]3(thf)3 (8) (X‐ray diffraction on single crystals). The cyclic voltammograms of a series of neodymium and erbium alkoxides indicate that the electrochemical properties are essentially dominated by the organic ligands. In comparison to the carbinols HO–C(C8H5S2)3 (1), HO–C(C4H3S)3 (2), HO–C(C14H11S2) (3) or HO–C(C16H13S) (4), the oxidation peak potentials of the thienyl units for the neodymium alkoxides [Nd{OC(C8H5S2)3}3(thf)3]·4thf (5), [Nd{OC(C4H3S)3}3(thf)3]·thf (7), [Nd{OC(C14H11S2)}3(thf)3]·thf (9) and [Nd{OC(C16H13S)}3(thf)3]·thf (10) are marginally shifted towards higher values by 0.03–0.10 V, whereas for Er[OC(C8H5S2)3]3(thf) (6) and Er[OC(C4H3S)3]3(thf)3 (8) a decrease of these potentials is noticed. Repetitive cyclic voltammetry does not generate polymeric films for 7–10, as found for the free organic ligands 2–4. Contrarily, the mononuclear precursors [Nd{OC(C8H5S2)3}3(thf)3]·4thf (5) and Er[OC(C8H5S2)3]3(thf) (6) are electro‐oxidized and electro‐active polymer films are obtained and characterized. To investigate the positions of the excited states of the ligands, emission spectra of the carbinols 1–4 have been recorded. The luminescence studies of the neodymium alkoxides reveal an energy transfer from the ligand to the metal centre with a remarkable Nd emission efficiency upon ligand excitation in the case of 5.
Diels–Alder Cycloadditions of 5‐Hydroxy‐2‐pyrones: 2H‐Pyran‐2,5‐diones and 5‐(tert‐Butyldimethylsilyloxy)‐2‐pyrones as Synthons
Authors: Wu Wanqing , He Shuzhong , Zhou Xiongfei , Lee Chi‐Sing
Published: January 2010

Diels–Alder (DA) cycloadditions of 5‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrones based on the use of 2H‐pyran‐2,5‐diones and 5‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxy)‐2‐pyrones as synthons have been developed. Upon treatment either with a base or with a Lewis acid, 2H‐pyran‐2,5‐diones equilibrated to 5‐hydroxy‐2‐pyrones and underwent DA cycloaddition. The base‐catalyzed protocol was optimized with cHex2NMe (0.1 equiv.) in tBuOH at room temperature, which gave the bicyclic cycloadducts in yields of up to 81 % (endo/exo = 6.2:1). The Lewis‐acid‐promoted protocol was optimized by conversion of 2H‐pyran‐2,5‐diones into 5‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxy)‐2‐pyrones and use of BF3·OEt2, which afforded the same DA products in yields of up to 90 % (endo/exo = 12:1).
Nitrogen‐Rich Polymers Based on 5‐Bromo‐1‐vinyl‐1H‐tetrazole
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Sproll Stefan M.
Published: January 2010

Nitrogen‐rich polymers with contents of nitrogen between 50 and 60 % were synthesized by radical polymerization using 1‐(1‐vinyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)hydrazine and 1‐methyl‐1‐(1‐vinyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)hydrazine. The monomers were obtained by substitution reactions of hydrazine derivatives and 5‐bromo‐1‐vinyl‐1H‐tetrazole. Moreover, the poly‐1‐(1‐vinyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)hydrazine was converted into the corresponding 5‐azidotetrazolyl‐containing polymer by the reaction with sodium nitrite. The polymers were characterized by measurements of the molecular weights, by vibrational spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis. The thermal stability was determined by differential scanning calorimetry and the sensitivity towards friction and impact were determined by BAM standards. The energetic properties were investigated by bomb calorimetric measurements and calculations with the EXPLO5 software. The high stability of the polymers towards impact and friction, along with their sufficient thermal stability (175–279 °C) and moderate energetic characters renders these polymers into promising compounds for an application as environmently friendly nitrogen‐rich polymers.
Unexpected Synthesis of Rearranged 3,4‐Dihydroquinazolines by a Sequential Ugi 4CC/Aza‐Wittig/Carbodiimide‐Mediated Cyclization
Authors: He Ping , Wu Jing , Nie Yi‐Bo , Ding Ming‐Wu
Published: January 2010

The 2,3,4‐trisubstituted 3,4‐dihydroquinazolines 4 were unexpectedly obtained from a sequential Ugi four component condensation (4CC)/aza‐Wittig/carbodiimide‐mediated cyclization.
Perfectly Regioselective and Sequential Protection of Glucopyranosides
Authors: Muramatsu Wataru , Mishiro Kenji , Ueda Yoshihiro , Furuta Takumi , Kawabata Takeo
Published: January 2010

A perfectly regioselective and sequential method for the preparation of orthogonally protected glucopyranosides has been developed. An acyl group was introduced at C(4)‐OH by organocatalysis with >99 % regioselectivity. TBDPS, Boc, and BOM groups were sequentially introduced into the 4‐O‐acyl‐glucopyranoside at C(6)‐OH, C(2)‐OH, and C(3)‐OH, respectively, with ca. 100 % regioselectivity in each step.
A Comparison of Electron Transfer Kinetics of Three Common Carbon Electrode Surfaces in Acetonitrile and in Room Temperature Ionic Liquid 1‐Butyl‐3‐Methylimidiazonium Hexafluorophosphate: Correlation to Surface Structure and the Limit of the Diffusion Domain Approximation
Authors: Xiao Lei , Dickinson Edmund J. F. , Wildgoose Gregory G. , Compton Richard G.
Published: January 2010

We report the comparison of electron transfer kinetic parameters of the ferrocene redox couple in both acetonitrile and in room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidiazonium hexafluorophosphate ([C4mim] [PF6]), using edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG), basal plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. Each electrode surface was characterized using SEM and AFM and the surface morphology was analyzed in terms of surface heterogeneity including the distribution of edge plane defects. The experimental data were modeled using both one and two dimensional simulations to correlate the electron transfer parameters obtained with the different surface structure of each electrode. Furthermore, we show that the diffusion domain approximation (commonly used to accurately simulate electron transfer kinetics at graphitic surfaces) breaks down when a BPPG electrode is used in RTIL and demonstrate the near impossibility of assigning rate constant to the basal plane surface.
Different modelings of cell‐face velocities and their effects on the pressure–velocity coupling, accuracy and convergence of solution
Authors: Alisadeghi H. , Karimian S. M. H.
Published: January 2010

In this article, a detailed study on the effects of different modelings of cell‐face velocities on pressure–velocity coupling, accuracy and convergence rate of the solution has been conducted. Discussions are focused on the collocated scheme of Schneider and Karimian (Computational Mechanics 1994; 14: 1–16) in the context of a control‐volume finite‐element Method. In this scheme, variables at the control volume surface are evaluated based on the physics of their governing equations, and the fully coupled system obtained is solved using a direct sparse solver. A special test problem has been defined to check the pressure–velocity coupling for all of the formulations. Other test cases, including Taylor problem, inviscid converging–diverging nozzle and the lid‐driven cavity, have been conducted for different Reynolds numbers, mesh sizes and time steps to investigate the accuracy and the performance of the formulations. Finally, a reliable and efficient scheme for the evaluation of cell‐face velocities is proposed, which can be easily extended to three dimensions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐order numerical simulations of flow‐induced noise
Authors: Zhu Wei Jun , Shen Wen Zhong , Sørensen Jens Nørkær
Published: January 2010

In this paper, the flow/acoustics splitting method for predicting flow‐generated noise is further developed by introducing high‐order finite difference schemes. The splitting method consists of dividing the acoustic problem into a viscous incompressible flow part and an inviscid acoustic part. The incompressible flow equations are solved by a second‐order finite volume code EllipSys2D/3D. The acoustic field is obtained by solving a set of acoustic perturbation equations forced by flow quantities. The incompressible pressure and velocity form the input to the acoustic equations. The present work is an extension of our acoustics solver, with the introduction of high‐order schemes for spatial discretization and a Runge–Kutta scheme for time integration. To achieve low dissipation and dispersion errors, either Dispersion‐Relation‐Preserving (DRP) schemes or optimized compact finite difference schemes are used for the spatial discretizations. Applications and validations of the new acoustics solver are presented for benchmark aeroacoustic problems and for flow over an NACA 0012 airfoil. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): effects on different areas of cognitive function for people with dementia
Authors: Spector Aimee , Orrell Martin , Woods Bob
Published: January 2010

Background

There is good evidence indicating that group Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) leads to generalised cognitive benefits for people with dementia. However, little is known about whether some aspects of cognition might change more than others and why.

Methods

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, a 14‐session group treatment, has been evaluated in a multi‐centre, single‐blind, randomised controlled trial. This study looks at the subscales of the ADAS‐Cog (memory and new learning, praxis and language) and compares the outcome of CST with a treatment as usual control group.

Results

There was a significant difference between treatment and control groups in total ADAS‐Cog score (p = 0.01) and in the language subscale (p = 0.01). There were no significant changes in memory and orientation or praxis.

Conclusions

CST appears to have particular effects in promoting language function, which is likely to lead to generalised benefits. This may be through generating opinions and creating new semantic links through categorisation. Future research might use more sensitive psychometric tests to assess these effects in more depth. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fronto‐temporal dysregulation in asymptomatic bipolar I patients: A paired associate functional MRI study
Authors: Glahn David C. , Robinson Jennifer L. , Tordesillas‐Gutierrez Diana , Monkul E. Serap , Holmes M. Kathleen , Green Melissa J. , Bearden Carrie E.
Published: January 2010

Bipolar disorder is associated with persistent declarative memory disturbances, but the neural basis of these deficits is not well understood. We used fMRI to investigate brain activity during performance on a face‐name paired associate task, which allows for the dissociation of encoding and recall‐related memory processes. Fifteen clinically remitted bipolar I disorder patients and 24 demographically matched healthy comparison subjects were scanned during task performance. At the voxel level, bipolar patients showed reduced cortical activation, relative to controls, in multiple task‐related brain regions during encoding. During recognition, bipolar patients under‐activated left hippocampal and parahippocampal regions, despite adequate task performance. Region of interest analyses indicated that, during encoding, bipolar patients had greater bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC) activity than healthy subjects. In contrast, during recognition patients showed hypo‐activation relative to controls in the right, but not the left, DLPFC. Although hippocampal activity did not differ between groups during encoding, bipolar patients failed to activate hippocampal regions to the same extent as healthy subjects during recognition. Finally, while better task performance was associated with recognition‐related hippocampal activity in healthy subjects, bipolar patients showed an inverse relationship between task performance and hippocampal activity. Remitted bipolar patients over‐engaged dorsolateral prefrontal regions when learning face‐name pairs, but relative hypoactivation in both prefrontal and medial temporal regions during recognition. These findings suggest a neural basis for the long‐term memory deficits consistently observed in patients with bipolar disorder; further, as these patterns appear in symptomatically remitted patients, they are unlikely to be an artifact of mood symptoms. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of novel 1,3‐substituted 1H‐[1,2,4]‐triazole‐3‐thiol derivatives
Authors: Eliazyan Karine A. , Shahbazyan Lusya V. , Pivazyan Vergine A. , Ghazaryan Emma A. , Yengoyan Aleksandr P.
Published: January 2010

By means of regioselective S‐alkylation of 1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol (1), a series of S‐substituted derivatives 2a‐j were synthesized. In certain conditions, the reaction of 2 with arylsulfochlorides, arylisocyanates, and quaternary ammonium salts of azines corresponding compounds were obtained 1‐arylsulfonyl‐ (3a‐d), 1‐arylcarbonamido‐ (4a,b), and 1‐azinyl‐1,2,4‐ (6a‐p) triazoles. Structures of compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR and elemental analyses. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:405–410, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20565
RNAi‐mediated downregulation of uPAR synergizes with targeting of HER2 through the ERK pathway in breast cancer cells
Authors: Li Changfei , Cao Sheng , Liu Zhen , Ye Xin , Chen Lizhao , Meng Songdong
Published: January 2010

Overexpression of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) or HER2 (erbB‐2) in breast cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. We previously reported that gene amplification and overexpression of HER2 and uPAR occur in 70% of HER2‐amplified tumor cells from blood or tissue of patients with breast cancer. In this study, we first examined whether depletion of HER2 and uPAR synergized in suppression of the growth of breast cancer cells that overexpress both HER2 and uPAR (SKBR3 and ZR 751). The results showed that depletion of either HER2 or uPAR by RNA interference suppressed cell growth and induced cell apoptosis, but that these effects were significantly enhanced in cells depleted of both HER2 and uPAR. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that silencing of HER2 and uPAR caused suppression of MAPK signal pathways, resulting in decrease of ERK activity and prompting a high p38/ERK activity ratio. The level of the phosphorylated form of ERK was decreased in cells depleted of HER2, uPAR or both, and the effect in cells depleted of both is the most evident. Moreover, downregulation of uPAR synergized with trastuzumab to suppress the growth and induce apoptosis of SKBR3 and ZR 751 cells. uPAR RNAi significantly enhanced the effect of trastuzumab on inhibition of MAPK signal pathways. In conclusion, targeting HER2 and uPAR has a synergistic inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells. Our results provide evidence that simultaneous downregulation of HER2 and uPAR may offer an effective tool for breast cancer therapy.
Attenuation of gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity: trimetazidine versusN‐acetyl cysteine
Authors: De la Cruz Rodríguez Lilia Cristina , Araujo Carmen Rosa , Posleman Sara Emilia , Rey María Rosario
Published: January 2010

Gentamicin (G) is a highly nephrotoxic aminoglucoside. It was used to experimentally induce nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. To find a drug capable of protecting the nephron we assayed a cardioprotector (trimetazidine, TMZ) and a hepatoprotector (N‐acetyl cysteine, NAC). The rats were divided into six groups (n= 8): (A) control without drugs; (B) treated with 50 mg kg−1per day (i.p.) of G for 7 days; (C) diet supplemented with 20 mg kg−1per day of TMZ for 7 days; (D) treated with 10 mg kg−1per day (i.p.) of NAC for 7 days; (E) pretreated for 7 days with 20 mg kg−1per day of TMZ and during the following 7 days with G + TMZ; (F) pretreated for 7 days with 10 mg kg−1per day (i.p.) of NAC and during the following 7 days with G + NAC. Urea and creatinine as well as the excretion of urinary γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTu) and urinaryN‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase (NAGu) were determined and structural and ultrastructural studies were carried out. Group B was used as a G‐induced nephrotoxicity control. Pretreatment with TMZ (E) showed a protector effect against induced nephrotoxicity, with no biochemical or functional changes nor alterations in histoarchitecture or ultrastructure. Pretreatment with NAC (F) showed no protector effect against G‐induced nephrotoxicity since no statistically significant differences were found with respect to the control group with G. We conclude that G‐induced nephrotoxicity is attenuated by the cytoprotective effect of TMZ. We may infer that TMZ inhibits the reabsorption and consequently the accumulation of G in the proximal tubule cell. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pubertal and early adult exposure to fenvalerate disrupts steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in mice at adulthood
Authors: Zhang Heng , Wang Hua , Wang Qun , Zhao Xian‐Feng , Liu Ping , Ji Yan‐Li , Ning Huan , Yu Tao , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Ying , Meng Xiu‐Hong , Xu De‐Xiang
Published: January 2010

Fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide, has been shown to have a potentially adverse effect on male reproduction. Our earlier study showed that maternal fenvalerate exposure during lactation impaired testicular development in male offspring. In this study, we investigated the effects of pubertal and early adult exposure to fenvalerate on steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in mice. Male mice were administered fenvalerate (60 mg/kg) by gavage daily from postnatal day 35 (PND35) to PND63. Results showed that sperm count was significantly decreased in fenvalerate‐treated mice. In addition, fenvalerate markedly decreased the layers of spermatogenic cells, disturbed the array of spermatogenic cells and increased the number of apoptotic cells in testes. The adverse effects of fenvalerate on male reproduction seemed to be associated with a decrease in serum and testicular testosterone (T). Although pubertal and early adult exposure to fenvalerate had little effect on the number of Leydig cells in testes, mRNA and protein levels of testicular T biosynthetic enzymes including P45017α and P450scc were significantly downregulated in fenvalerate‐treated mice. In conclusion, pubertal and early adult fenvalerate exposure induces a deleterious effect on steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in adulthood. The decreased testicular T synthesis partially contributes to fenvalerate‐induced impairment on spermatogenesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein kinase C mediated intracellular signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of sodium‐dependent glucose co‐transporter SGLT1 activity
Authors: Castaneda‐Sceppa Carmen , Subramanian Supriya , Castaneda Francisco
Published: January 2010

The sodium‐dependent glucose co‐transporter (SGLT1) is regulated by protein kinases. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of rabbit (rb) SGLT1 activity as determined by α‐methyl‐D‐glucopyranoside (AMG) uptake and to identify the cellular mechanisms involved in this process. For this purpose Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing rbSGLT1 (CHO‐G6D3) were treated with PKC activators and inhibitors. PKC activators did not exert any effect on AMG uptake, as corroborated by mutation of the putative phosphorylation sites of PKC. In contrast, the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (BIM) increased AMG uptake. This effect was associated with translocation of rbSGLT1 from the intracellular pool to the plasma membrane demonstrated by pre‐treatment of G6D3 cells with cytochalasin D that abolished the effect of BIM. In addition, intracellular signaling pathways (p38/MAPK, ERK/MAPK, JNK/MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR) were associated with PKC‐regulated AMG uptake. Moreover, rbSGLT1 mRNA level was higher in BIM‐treated cells than in untreated, control cells. This effect was completely abolished by actinomycin D treatment. The present study demonstrates that PKC regulates rbSGLT1 activity via a complex intracellular mechanism that involves sorting and transcriptional regulation of rbSGLT1. The study findings suggest the involvement of two complementary opposite mechanism of action, in which the balance between two antagonistic effects, namely stimulation and inhibition of the transporter, regulates the activity of rbSGLT1 by PKC. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 1109–1117, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
S100B protein in myoblasts modulates myogenic differentiation via NF‐κB‐dependent inhibition of MyoD expression
Authors: Tubaro Claudia , Arcuri Cataldo , Giambanco Ileana , Donato Rosario
Published: January 2010

S100B, a Ca2+‐binding protein of the EF‐hand type, is expressed in myoblasts, the precursors of skeletal myofibers, and muscle satellite cells (this work). S100B has been shown to participate in the regulation of several intracellular processes including cell cycle progression and differentiation. We investigated regulatory activities of S100B within myoblasts by stable overexpression of S100B and by inhibition of S100B expression. Overexpression of S100B in myoblast cell lines and primary myoblasts resulted in inhibition of myogenic differentiation, evidenced by lack of expression of myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and absence of myotube formation. S100B‐overexpressing myoblasts showed reduced MyoD expression levels and unchanged Myf5 expression levels, compared with control myoblasts, and transient transfection of S100B‐overexpressing myoblasts with MyoD, but not Myf5, restored differentiation and fusion in part. The transcriptional activity of NF‐κB, a negative regulator of MyoD expression, was enhanced in S100B‐overexpressing myoblasts, and blocking NF‐κB activity resulted in reversal of S100B's inhibitory effects. Yin Yang1, a transcriptional repressor that is induced by NF‐κB (p65) and mediates NF‐κB inhibitory effects on several myofibrillary genes, also was upregulated in S100B‐overexpressing myoblasts. Conversely, silencing S100B expression in myoblast cell lines by RNA interference resulted in reduced NF‐κB activity and enhanced MyoD, myogenin and MyHC expression and myotube formation. Thus, intracellular S100B might modulate myoblast differentiation by interfering with MyoD expression in an NF‐κB‐dependent manner. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 270–282, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultramorphological characteristics of immature stages of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a fly specie of forensic importance
Authors: Mendonça Paloma Martins , Santos‐Mallet Jacenir Reis Dos , Queiroz Margareth Maria De Carvalho
Published: January 2010

Forensic entomology is an area of science that serves as a tool in crime scene investigations. Usually, flies are the first insects to reach a dead body and can oviposit just a few hours after arrival. Therefore the knowledge of immature stages is essential for correct identification of the species found on corpses. Scanning electron microscopy gives detailed information about morphological characters helping to identify the immature forms and consequently serves as a tool in crime scene investigations. C. albiceps is a very important fly for forensic entomologists because its larvae are almost always present on a dead body and it is facultative predators and therefore can alter the composition of species present at the carcass. The aim of this study is to identify eggs, larvae, and puparia of C. albiceps using SEM. Eggs were elongated with the anterior region ending in a “Y” shape and the posterior end was tapered. The micropyle was a well‐adorned orifice with some projections around it. The first instar larva was composed of 12 segments separated by spines. Only one spiracular opening could be seen at the posterior spiracle. Body tegument was smooth and tubercles were not seen. Antennae and maxillary palps were visible. Second and third larval instars were very similar to first instar, except for the presence of anterior spiracle. However, body tegument was composed of net‐like patches and tubercles were visible. Tubercles present at the third instar larvae were robust and erect. Puparia showed a retracted cephalic region and curved tubercles. Microsc. Res. Tech. 73:779–784, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and biological activity of novel 1,3,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives
Authors: Parmar Kokila , Suthar Bharat , Prajapati Saraju , Suthar Arun
Published: January 2010

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Triazole skeleton is ubiquitous in pharmaceutically important compounds. A novel series of indoline‐containing triazole with different amides are described, which exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activities. The chemical synthesis strategies used, the complete characterization of the compounds, their in vitro screening, and the promising activity as reflected in the MIC values are reported. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Bichalcophenes: A concise synthesis of formyl ester‐ and cyano ester‐substituted bithiophenes, bifurans, and furanothiophenes
Authors: Farahat Abdelbasset A. , Kumar Arvind , Barghash Alaa El‐Din M. , Goda Fatma E. , Eisa Hassan M. , Boykin David W.
Published: January 2010

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Syntheses of new formyl ester‐ and cyano ester‐substituted bithiophenes, bifurans, and furanothiophenes in good yield are described. The key synthetic step uses Stille coupling of appropriately substituted bromo 5‐ring heterocycles with stannyl‐substituted 5‐ring heterocycles. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Implementing a smoke‐free medical campus: Impact on inpatient and employee outcomes
Authors: Gadomski Anne M. , Stayton Marti , Krupa Nicole , Jenkins Paul
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Hospitals fear that transitioning to a smoke‐free medical campus will decrease patient volume, particularly for patients who smoke. When our hospital campus, a 180‐bed acute care facility located in a small town, implemented the smoke‐free medical campus on July 1, 2006, we prospectively monitored inpatient and employee outcomes.

METHODS:

Inpatient volume, percentage of inpatients who currently smoke, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) orders (obtained from electronic medical records), the number of inpatients who signed out against medical advice (obtained from incident reports), and employee tobacco‐use rates from annual occupational health assessments were compared pre‐ban and post‐ban.

RESULTS:

The monthly average for the percentage of inpatients who currently smoke has been steady, at 20% to 22% post‐ban. NRT orders tripled after the ban. There was no significant change in the rate of inpatients who signed out against medical advice pre‐ban and post‐ban. During the year preceding the ban, 150 employees participated in a cessation program offered by Employee Health. The pre‐ban employee self‐reported smoking rate for the same 4‐month period (March‐June) was 14.3% in 2005, 14.8% in 2006, and 9% in 2007 (P < 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS:

Implementing a smoke‐free medical campus did not adversely affect inpatient volume (even among smokers), significantly increased inpatient NRT use, and decreased hospital employee smoking rates. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:51–54. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Consultative pediatrics in the new millenium
Authors: Vellody Kishore , Zitelli Basil J.
Published: January 2010

The pediatric hospitalist program at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP)—the Diagnostic Referral Service (DRS)—was first described in the pediatric literature in 1988. At that time, the group consisted of 5 members with a variety of inpatient and outpatient responsibilities. Since then, there has been a significant nationwide growth in pediatric hospital medicine. In the same time frame, the DRS has also grown significantly, with new and enhanced responsibilities in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. This work reflects on the recent trends in pediatrics that resulted in the growth of specialists in hospital medicine and in the evolution of the DRS responsibilities. A detailed description of the unique changes in the DRS is provided as a model for effective care of children in the modern era. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E34–E40. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
A real‐time nursing intervention reduces dysglycemia and improves best practices in noncritically ill hospitalized patients
Authors: Shabbir Hasan , Stein Jason , Tong David , Bhalla Vikas , Wang Alan
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Dysglycemia is prevalent in hospitalized patients and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Educational interventions insufficiently improve best practices in managing dysglycemia.

OBJECTIVE:

To reduce dysglycemia by improving best practices for inpatient glycemic control.

DESIGN:

Interrupted time series.

SETTING:

A community teaching hospital.

PATIENTS:

A total of 653 adult, noncritically ill, nonobstetric patients.

INTERVENTION:

A real‐time nursing intervention (RTNI). A charge nurse issued a verbal invitation to the physician to utilize the existing glycemic control order set for patients with dysglycemia.

MEASUREMENTS:

(1) Lone correctional insulin (LCI) usage; (2) potentially inappropriate oral hypoglycemic medication (PIOHM) usage; (3) patient day‐weighted mean glucose (PDWMG; ie, mean glucose for each hospital day, averaged across all hospital days); (4) the percent of patients with PDWMG >180 mg/dL; and (5) the prevalence of severe hypoglycemia.

RESULTS:

The use of LCI regimens decreased from 48% to 30% (P < 0.01) during the RTNI period and the rate of potentially inappropriate oral hypoglycemic medications (PIOHMs) usage was reduced from 29% to 13% (P < 0.01). PDWMG decreased from 166 mg/dL to 156 mg/dL (P = 0.04). After removal of the RTNI, outcome measures were not significantly different from baseline, with the exception of PIOHM use, which remained lower at 19% in the postintervention group (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS:

An RTNI promoting a best‐practice glycemic control order set was successful in modestly lowering mean glucose levels and substantially reducing the use of LCI and PIOHMs. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E15–E20. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Prevention of venous thromboembolism in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals
Authors: Herbers Jerome , Zarter Susan
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the most common preventable cause of death in hospitals, but many patients do not receive proven preventive therapies.

OBJECTIVE:

To ascertain the extent to which inpatients received therapies for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

DESIGN:

Medical records review of a random sample of hospitalized patients, stratified by hospital teaching status.

SETTING:

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acute‐care hospitals.

PATIENTS:

Two groups hospitalized ≥48 hours during the year ending March 31, 2007: (1) all 4963 patients older than 74 years with a principal discharge diagnosis of heart failure; and (2) all 1448 patients with any discharge diagnosis of PE.

MEASUREMENTS:

Rate of VTE preventive care.

RESULTS:

Sixty‐three of the 100 randomly selected heart failure patients had adequate anticoagulation, 29 (46%) of whom were taking warfarin for chronic conditions. For patients discharged with a PE diagnosis, records from all 330 nonteaching and 449 (40%) teaching hospital cases were reviewed. Most cases (698; 90%) were excluded because there was only a remote history of PE or the diagnosis was made prior to admission. Thirty‐four of the 63 patients (54%) with confirmed in‐hospital PE and unequivocal VTE risk factors received appropriate preventive treatment. Thirty of the 66 patients (48%) with missed opportunities for prevention had inappropriate mechanical prophylaxis or inadequate use of anticoagulation.

CONCLUSIONS:

In hospitalized veterans with PE or at risk for VTE, missed opportunities for prevention were frequent and included inappropriate or inadequate interventions. Retrospective chart review was an inefficient method for identifying patients with in‐hospital PE. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E21–E25. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Potential role of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) as a surrogate marker of late loosening in patients with total hip arthroplasty: A cohort study
Authors: Savarino Lucia , Avnet Sofia , Greco Michelina , Giunti Armando , Baldini Nicola
Published: January 2010

In a cohort study, the role of the active tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP 5b), a marker of bone‐resorbing osteoclasts, for the assessment of loosening after total hip arthroplasty (THA), was analyzed, as well as its correlation with osteolysis and multinucleated cell appearance in the retrievals. Eighty THA patients, who went consecutively to the orthopedic department, were asked to participate, and 54 accepted and were enrolled in the study. Finally, 46 subjects were analyzed, clinical‐radiographic evaluation was considered the gold standard, serum TRACP 5b was blindly measured, and a cut‐off was obtained, by performing a ROC Curve. Based on the gold standard, patients were split by 19 stable and 27 loosened subjects, and results were matched. TRACP 5b was significantly higher in loosened patients than in stable ones (p < 0.001). A good specificity (89.5%), positive predictive value (90.0%), and likelihood ratio (6.33) were calculated, that provided strong evidence of loosening with TRACP 5b levels higher than the cut‐off. Moreover, TRACP 5b and osteolysis (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.03) were found significantly correlated. TRACP 5b has been proven a reliable marker, specifically related to resorbing‐multinucleated cells, to ascertain late loosening in THA, and could support standard procedures, if confirmed by performing prospective studies. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:887–892, 2010
Preparative separation of alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Wang Xiao , Liu Jianhua , Geng Yanling , Wang Daijie , Dong Hongjing , Zhang Tianyou
Published: January 2010

Preparative separation of alkaloids from embryo of the seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn has been successfully performed for the first time using pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography. Two kinds of two‐phase solvent systems were applied to preparative CCC isolation. The first was the system composed of MtBE–water (1:1, v/v), 10 mM triethylamine in organic stationary phase and 5 mM HCl in aqueous mobile phase, which could only separate neferine partly from the crude extract. The second was the system composed of n‐hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (5:5:2:8, v/v), 10 mM triethylamine in organic stationary phase and 5 mM HCl in aqueous mobile phase, which was the optimum for large‐scale CCC isolation. 2.5 g of the crude alkaloid was purified in one‐step separation of 7 h, yielding 151 mg of liensinine, 118 mg of isoliensinine and 572 mg of neferine with the purities of 93.0, 95.1 and 97.0%, respectively.
Micellar capillary electrophoresis – Electrochemical detection of neurochemicals from Drosophila
Authors: Kuklinski Nicholas J. , Berglund E. Carina , Ewing Andrew G.
Published: January 2010

The fruit fly is one of the most heavily studied model organisms for genetics research and has significantly contributed to the molecular, cellular, and evolutionary understandings of human behavior. Recent research in the analytical chemistry of the fruit fly has focused on developing methods to obtain highly sensitive chemical quantification information of Drosophila melanogaster, especially looking at the nervous system. We provide a brief overview of work in the area of CE of the fly head and brain.
The relationship between uric acid levels and Huntington's disease progression
Authors: Auinger Peggy , Kieburtz Karl , Mcdermott Michael P.
Published: January 2010

Uric acid (UA) may be associated with the progression of Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions; however, its association with Huntington's disease (HD) progression has not been explored. A secondary analysis of 347 subjects from the CARE‐HD clinical trial was performed to examine the relationship between baseline UA levels and the level of functional decline in HD. Outcomes included change in scores at 30 months for the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale components. There was less worsening of total functional capacity over time with increasing baseline UA levels (adjusted mean worsening in scores: 3.17, 2.99, 2.95, 2.28, 2.21, from lowest to highest UA quintile, P = 0.03). These data suggest a possible association between higher UA levels and slower HD progression, particularly as measured by total functional capacity. If confirmed, UA could be an important predictor and potentially modifiable factor affecting the rate of HD progression. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society