bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terpenoid and Phenolic Metabolites from the Fungus Xylaria sp. Associated with Termite Nests
Authors: Yan Sha , Li Saifei , Wu Wen , Zhao Feng , Bao Li , Ding Rong , Gao Hao , Wen Hua‐An , Song Fuhang , Liu Hong‐Wei
Published: September 2011

Three new sesquiterpene acids, xylaric acids A–C (1–3, resp.), and a new tetralone (=3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one) derivative, 4, along with nine known compounds, xylaric acid D (5), hydroheptelidic acid (6), gliocladic acid (7), chlorine heptelidic acid (8), trichoderonic acid A (9), 16‐(α‐D‐mannopyranosyloxy)isopimar‐7‐en‐19‐oic acid (10), 16‐(α‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)isopimar‐7‐en‐19‐oic acid (11), 5‐carboxymellein (12), and naphthalen‐1,8‐diol 1‐O‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside (13) have been isolated from the solid culture of the ascomycete fungus Xylaria sp. associated with termite nest. The structures of these compounds were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of compounds 1–3 and 5–9 were determined by combination of X‐ray data and CD spectral analysis. The absolute configuration of 4 was assigned by Snatzke's method. Compounds 8 and 11 showed slight cytotoxicities against two cell lines A549 and SGC7901.
Variability in Chemical Composition and Abundance of the Rare Tertiary Relict Pinus heldreichii in Serbia
Authors: Bojović Srdjan , Nikolić Biljana , Ristić Mihailo , Orlović Saša , Veselinović Milorad , Rakonjac Ljubinko , Dražić Dragana
Published: September 2011

The particular significance of the whitebark pine (Pinus heldreichii Christ.) stems from the fact that it is a tertiary relict and Balkanic subendemite covering a very narrow and intermittent area in Serbia. A representative pool of 48 adult trees originating from three populations, one recently discovered natural (Population I) and two planted populations (Populations II and III) was investigated in order to evaluate the intra‐ and interpopulation variability of the essential oil of the complete fund of P. heldreichii in Serbia. In the pine‐needle‐terpene profile, 104 compounds were detected, 84 of which could be identified. Among the essential‐oil constituents, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes dominated, comprising ca. 90% of the essential oil. The terpenic profile of Population I was characterized by a predominance of monoterpenes (e.g., limonene (1), α‐pinene, and Δ3‐carene (4)), while sesquiterpenes (e.g., germacrene D (2) and β‐caryophyllene (3)) obviously preponderated in the profile of Populations II and III. This study also demonstrated that the abundance of whitebark pines in Serbia had significantly changed over the last few decades. The number of individuals in the natural population had increased, while the number of individuals in the planted populations had decreased. Today, the whitebark pine fund in Serbia comprises less than 250 trees.
An Overview of Sugar‐Modified Oligonucleotides for Antisense Therapeutics
Authors: Prakash Thazha P.
Published: September 2011

Among the multitude of chemical modifications that have been described over the past two decades, oligonucleotide analogs that are modified at the 2′‐position of the furanose sugar have been especially useful for improving the drug‐like properties of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). These modifications bias the sugar pucker towards the 3′‐endo‐conformation and improve ASO affinity for its biological target (i.e., mRNA). In addition, antisense drugs incorporating 2′‐modified nucleotides exhibit enhanced metabolic stability, and improved pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. Further conformational restriction of the 2′‐substituent to the 4′‐position of the furanose ring yielded the 2′,4′‐bridged nucleic acid (BNA) analogs. ASOs containing BNA modifications showed unprecedented increase in binding affinity for target RNA, while also improved nuclease resistance, in vitro and in vivo potency. Several ASO drug candidates containing 2′‐modified nucleotides have entered clinical trials and continue to make progress in the clinic for a variety of therapeutic indications.
Status and Perspectives of Coal Utilisation in Power Plants including Gasification
Authors: Pardemann Robert , Meyer Bernd
Published: September 2011

Obwohl Kohlekraftwerke mit Vergasung, sog. IGCC‐Kraftwerke, bereits seit den 1970er Jahren entwickelt werden, sind sie bisher nicht kommerziell etabliert. Neben technologischen Defiziten, die in Demonstrationsanlagen gelöst wurden, ist vor allem deren Wirtschaftlichkeit als Problem zu sehen. Der vorliegende Artikel führt in die Grundlagen von IGCC‐Kraftwerken mit und ohne CO2‐Abtrennung ein und gibt Informationen zu Wirtschaftlichkeit, Wirkungsgrad‐ und Entwicklungspotenzial. Daneben werden neue Konzepte der gekoppelten stofflich‐energetischen Kohlenutzung (Polygeneration) vorgestellt, die der Kraftwerkstechnik mit Kohlevergasung eine neue Perspektive eröffnen können.
Eco‐Balance Assessment of Ionic Liquids as Acid Catalysts in Transesterifications
Authors: Kuschnerow Jan C. , Wesche Mandy , Scholl Stephan
Published: September 2011

Ionische Flüssigkeiten können in Umesterungsprozessen als Homogenkatalysator fungieren. Im Gegensatz zu konventionellen Katalysatoren, wie Alkalilaugen oder Schwefelsäure, ist die verwendete ionische Flüssigkeit rezyklierbar und damit wieder in der Reaktion einsetzbar. In dieser Studie wurde der umweltentlastende Effekt einer Verfahrensumstellung einer schwefelsäurekatalysierten auf eine IL‐katalysierte Umesterung untersucht. Dabei wurden drei Methoden der Ökobilanzierung angewendet und miteinander verglichen. Zudem wurde der Einfluss verschiedener Parameter auf die Umweltbelastung untersucht. Bereits im Stadium des konzeptionellen Verfahrensentwurfs können ökobilanzielle Betrachtungen wertvolle Hinweise für die Gestaltung ökologisch vorteilhafter Prozesse geben.
Cardiac Rupture in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Kaushik Sashank , Nautiyal Amit , Choudhary Sujit K. , Kayastha Bhuwan L. , Mostow Nelson , Lazar Jason M.
Published: September 2011

Background:

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TSC) and its complications, such as cardiac rupture (CR), are increasingly being reported in the literature. CR is associated with rapid clinical decline and is uniformly fatal if not surgically repaired. To identify patients who developed CR we performed an analysis of all available indexed cases in the literature and compared them with a control group of patients with TSC without rupture.

Hypothesis:

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy patients with cardiac rupture do not differ significantly from those without rupture.

Methods:

MEDLINE (2009) was searched for all TSC case reports with CR. Eleven case reports were identified. Using a random sampling method, we selected 12 case reports of TSC without rupture (control). We included our patient with TSC with rupture as the 12th case of TSC cohort with CR (CR group). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between CR group and control.

Results:

All patients in the TSC group with rupture were female and were significantly older than controls. TSC group with rupture had significantly higher frequency of ST elevation in lead II and absence of T‐wave inversion in lead V5 on hospital admission than controls. Mean ejection fraction, systolic blood pressure, and double product, a measure of oxygen demand, was significantly higher in the rupture group compared to controls. The CR group was associated with less frequent use of β‐blocker as compared to controls.

Conclusions:

CR as a complication of TSC could be more common than recognized. Higher double product and ejection fraction suggest higher fluctuation of intracardiac pressure and may cause CR in TSC. Use of β blockers in TSC may provide protection against CR. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Understanding of Molecular Substructures that Contribute to hERG K+ Channel Blockade: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of E‐4031 Analogues
Authors: Vilums Maris , Overman Jeroen , Klaasse Elisabeth , Scheel Olaf , Brussee Johannes , IJzerman Adriaan P.
Published: September 2011

Cardiotoxicity is a common side effect of a large variety of drugs that is often caused by off‐target human ether‐à‐go‐go‐related gene (hERG) potassium channel blockade. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of derivatives of the class III antiarrhythmic agent E‐4031. These compounds where evaluated in a radioligand binding assay and automated patch clamp assay to establish structure–activity relationships (SAR) for their inhibition of the hERG K+ channel. Structural modifications of E‐4031 were made by altering the peripheral aromatic moieties with a series of distinct substituents. Additionally, we synthesized several derivatives with a quaternary nitrogen and modified the center of the molecule by introduction of an additional nitrogen and deletion of the carbonyl oxygen. Some modifications caused a great increase in affinity for the hERG K+ channel, while other seemingly minor changes led to a strongly diminished affinity. Structures with quaternary amines carrying an additional aromatic moiety were found to be highly active in radioligand binding assay. A decrease in affinity was achieved by introducing an amide functionality in the central scaffold without directly interfering with the pKa of the essential basic amine. The knowledge gained from this study could be used in early stages of drug discovery and drug development to avoid or circumvent hERG K+ channel blockade, thereby reducing the risk of cardiotoxicity, related arrhythmias and sudden death.
A simple, versatile valve model for use in lumped parameter and one‐dimensional cardiovascular models
Authors: Mynard J. P. , Davidson M. R. , Penny D. J. , Smolich J. J.
Published: September 2011

Lumped parameter and one‐dimensional models of the cardiovascular system generally employ ideal cardiac and/or venous valves that open and close instantaneously. However, under normal or pathological conditions, valves can exhibit complex motions that are mainly determined by the instantaneous difference between upstream and downstream pressures. We present a simple valve model that predicts valve motion on the basis of this pressure difference, and can be used to investigate not only valve pathology, but a wide range of cardiac and vascular factors that are likely to influence valve motion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The affective feelings of colored typefaces
Authors: Lee Wen‐Yuan , Pai Shao‐Yang
Published: September 2011

This study aims to explore the relation of affective feelings to typefaces and colors. Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment used 74 typefaces to investigate the affective feelings of typefaces. The second experiment used 72‐colored typefaces to investigate the influence of both colors and typefaces on affective feelings. The results showed the affective feelings for typefaces can be described by appearance and evaluation factors. The characteristic of serif and the print/handwriting look were found to be the criteria classifying the typefaces. Furthermore, the regression models for eight affective feelings were developed. These models showed that the typefaces were more influential than colors on the feelings of “complex–simple,” “beautiful–ugly,” “luxury–plain,” “active–passive,” “causal–regular,” and “like–dislike.” In comparison with typeface, color was more influential on “friendly–serious” and “soft–hard” feelings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2012
On the relationship between wavelength and perceived hue
Authors: Kuehni Rolf G.
Published: September 2011

Unlike in the case of sound where there is a compressed but straightforward relationship between frequency of sound waves and the perceived pitch, in the case of color the relationship is highly nonlinear, as first pointed out by Ostwald in 1916. In this article, the relationship between the perceptual Munsell hue scale and the related dominant wavelengths of the color chips involved is investigated. A hypothesis is proposed according to which the immediate cause of the nonlinearity can be found in the relative activation of the kinds of chromatically opponent functions shown to exist in neurons of the lateral geniculate nuclei. However, at this time, the relationship is only correlational, given the lack of deeper understanding of the relationship between the physiological operation of the color vision system and conscious experiences of color. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011;
Closed‐form analysis of multibranch switched diversity with noncoherent and differentially coherent detection
Authors: Morales‐Jiménez David , Paris José F. , Wong Kai‐Kit
Published: September 2011

Exact closed‐form analytical expressions are derived for the average bit error probability of multibranch switched diversity systems over independent and identically Nakagami‐m distributed fading channels. Practical schemes that use noncoherent or differentially coherent symbol detection are considered. The general bit error probability expression derived in this paper includes as particular cases the following signaling formats: orthogonal binary signaling, correlated binary signaling, differential phase‐shift keying, and differential quadrature phase‐shift keying. Finally, we apply our analytical results to study the impact of the switching threshold selection on the system performance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Aza Analogues of Isoaltholactone and Goniothalesdiol – New Applications of the Heck–Matsuda Reaction
Authors: Moro Angélica Venturini , Rodrigues dos Santos Marcelo , Correia Carlos Roque D.
Published: September 2011

The stereoselective synthesis of nitrogen analogues of biologically active isoaltholactone and goniothalesdiol are described. The successful strategy employed a Heck–Matsuda reaction between a chiral endocyclic enecarbamate bearing an ester functionality and arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates in a divergent approach at an early stage of the synthesis. Several aspects related to this critical arylation reaction are discussed to highlight structural features that affect the outcome of the arylation process. The synthesis of (–)‐aza‐isoaltholactone 6 was successfully accomplished in nine steps from the starting enecarbamate. We also performed the synthesis of the new fully substituted pyrrolidine (–)‐(2R,3R,4S,5S)‐1‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐3,4‐dihydroxy‐5‐phenylpyrrolidin‐2‐ylacrylic acid 28, which is a potential advanced intermediate in the route to aza‐altholactone. Moreover, the synthesis of a new nitrogen analogue of goniothalesdiol (+)‐33 was accomplished from the protected dihydroxypyrrolidine (–)‐27, obtained from an attempted synthesis of aza‐altholactone.
Toxicity of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin to photoautotrophic aquatic organisms
Authors: Ebert Ina , Bachmann Jean , Kühnen Ute , Küster Anette , Kussatz Carola , Maletzki Dirk , Schlüter Christoph
Published: September 2011

The present study investigated the growth inhibition effect of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin on four photoautotrophic aquatic species: the freshwater microalga Desmodesmus subspicatus, the cyanobacterium Anabaena flos-aquae, the monocotyledonous macrophyte Lemna minor, and the dicotyledonous macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum. Both antibiotics, which act by inhibiting the bacterial DNA gyrase, demonstrated high toxicity to A. flos-aquae and L. minor and moderate to slight toxicity to D. subspicatus and M. spicatum. The cyanobacterium was the most sensitive species with median effective concentration (EC50) values of 173 and 10.2 µg/L for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Lemna minor proved to be similarly sensitive, with EC50 values of 107 and 62.5 µg/L for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. While enrofloxacin was more toxic to green algae, ciprofloxacin was more toxic to cyanobacteria. Calculated EC50s for D. subspicatus were 5,568 µg/L and >8,042 µg/L for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. These data, as well as effect data from the literature, were compared with predicted and reported environmental concentrations. For two of the four species, a risk was identified at ciprofloxacin concentrations found in surface waters, sewage treatment plant influents and effluents, as well as in hospital effluents. For ciprofloxacin the results of the present study indicate a risk even at the predicted environmental concentration. In contrast, for enrofloxacin no risk was identified at predicted and measured concentrations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2786–2792. © 2011 SETAC
Ecotoxicological impact of the fungicide tebuconazole on an aquatic decomposer-detritivore system
Authors: Zubrod Jochen P , Bundschuh Mirco , Feckler Alexander , Englert Dominic , Schulz Ralf
Published: September 2011

Leaf litter breakdown is a fundamental process in aquatic ecosystems that is realized by microbial decomposers and invertebrate detritivores. Although this process may be adversely affected by fungicides, among other factors, no test design exists to assess combined effects on such decomposer–detritivore systems. Hence, the present study assessed effects of the model fungicide tebuconazole (65 µg/L) on the conditioning of leaf material (by characterizing the associated microbial community) as well as the combined effects (i.e., direct toxicity and food quality-related effects (=indirect)) on the energy processing of the leaf-shredding amphipod Gammarus fossarum using a five-week semistatic test design. Gammarids exposed to tebuconazole produced significantly less feces (∼20%), which in turn significantly increased their assimilation (∼30%). Moreover, a significantly reduced lipid content (∼20%) indicated lower physiological fitness. The conditioning process was altered as well, which was indicated by a significantly reduced fungal biomass (∼40%) and sporulation (∼30%) associated with the leaf material. These results suggest that tebuconazole affects both components of the investigated decomposer-detritivore system. However, adverse effects on the level of detritivores cannot be explicitly attributed to direct or indirect pathways. Nevertheless, as the endpoints assessed are directly related to leaf litter breakdown and associated energy transfer processes, the protectiveness of environmental risk assessment for this ecosystem function may be more realistically assessed in future studies by using this or comparable test designs. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2718–2724. © 2011 SETAC
Multiple stressors and complex life cycles: Insights from a population-level assessment of breeding site contamination and terrestrial habitat loss in an amphibian
Authors: Salice Christopher J , Rowe Christopher L , Pechmann Joseph H.K , Hopkins William A
Published: September 2011

Understanding the effects of chemical contaminants on natural populations is challenging, as multiple anthropogenic and natural stressors may individually and interactively influence responses. Population models can be used to evaluate the impacts of multiple stressors and to provide insight into population-level effects and/or data gaps. For amphibians with complex life cycles, population models may be useful in understanding impacts of stressors that are unique to the habitat type (aquatic, terrestrial) and that operate at different times in the life cycle. We investigated the population-level effects of aquatic contaminants (coal combustion residues, CCR) and terrestrial habitat loss on the eastern narrowmouth toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis, using existing empirical data that demonstrated negative reproductive and developmental effects of CCR and a series of population models that incorporated density dependence and environmental stochasticity. Results of deterministic models indicated that when terrestrial habitat was abundant, CCR-exposed toads had a larger population size compared to the reference population as a result of reduced density-dependent effects on larval survival. However, when stochasticity in the form of catastrophic reproductive failure was included, CCR-exposed toads were more susceptible to decline and extinction compared to toads from the reference populations. The results highlight the complexities involved in assessing the effects of anthropogenic factors on natural populations, especially for species that are exposed to multiple biotic and abiotic stressors during different periods in the life cycle. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2874–2882. © 2011 SETAC
Using extreme phenotype sampling to identify the rare causal variants of quantitative traits in association studies
Authors: Li Dalin , Lewinger Juan Pablo , Gauderman William J. , Murcray Cassandra Elizabeth , Conti David
Published: September 2011

Variants identified in recent genome‐wide association studies based on the common‐disease common‐variant hypothesis are far from fully explaining the hereditability of complex traits. Rare variants may, in part, explain some of the missing hereditability. Here, we explored the advantage of the extreme phenotype sampling in rare‐variant analysis and refined this design framework for future large‐scale association studies on quantitative traits. We first proposed a power calculation approach for a likelihood‐based analysis method. We then used this approach to demonstrate the potential advantages of extreme phenotype sampling for rare variants. Next, we discussed how this design can influence future sequencing‐based association studies from a cost‐efficiency (with the phenotyping cost included) perspective. Moreover, we discussed the potential of a two‐stage design with the extreme sample as the first stage and the remaining nonextreme subjects as the second stage. We demonstrated that this two‐stage design is a cost‐efficient alternative to the one‐stage cross‐sectional design or traditional two‐stage design. We then discussed the analysis strategies for this extreme two‐stage design and proposed a corresponding design optimization procedure. To address many practical concerns, for example measurement error or phenotypic heterogeneity at the very extremes, we examined an approach in which individuals with very extreme phenotypes are discarded. We demonstrated that even with a substantial proportion of these extreme individuals discarded, an extreme‐based sampling can still be more efficient. Finally, we expanded the current analysis and design framework to accommodate the CMC approach where multiple rare‐variants in the same gene region are analyzed jointly. Genet. Epidemiol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 35:790‐799, 2011
Change in cognitive functioning in depressed older adults following treatment with sertraline or nortriptyline
Authors: Culang‐Reinlieb Michelle E. , Sneed Joel R. , Keilp John G. , Roose Steven P.
Published: September 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the impact of nortriptyline to sertraline on change in cognitive functioning in depressed older adults.

Methods

We used pre–post neuropsychological data collected as part of a 12‐week medication trial comparing sertraline to nortriptyline in the treatment of older adults with non‐psychotic, unipolar major depression to examine change in cognitive functioning. Neuropsychological assessments included mental status (Mini‐Mental Status Exam), psychomotor speed (Purdue Pegboard), attention (Continuous Performance Test, Trail Making Test A), executive functioning (Stroop Color/word Test, Trail Making Test B), and memory (Buschke Selective Reminding Test).

Results

Within treatment groups, patients treated with sertraline improved only on verbal learning. This change did not depend on responder status. Between treatment groups, patients treated with sertraline improved more in verbal learning compared with patients treated with nortriptyline. Looking at change in cognition as a function of medication condition and responder status revealed that sertraline responders improved more in verbal learning compared with nortriptyline responders but not more than sertraline non‐responders or nortriptyline non‐responders. Nortriptyline responders were the only treatment by responder status group to show no improvement in verbal learning from baseline to endpoint.

Conclusions

Unexpectedly, nortriptyline responders showed no improvement in verbal learning as compared with patients treated with sertraline or nortriptyline non‐responders. However, given the small sample sizes and number of statistical tests (potential for type 1 error), replication is warranted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anxious symptoms and cognitive function in non‐demented older adults: an inverse relationship
Authors: Stillman Ashley N. , Rowe Kelly C. , Arndt Stephan , Moser David J.
Published: September 2011

Background

The goals of this study were to determine the relationship between anxious symptoms and cognitive functioning in a non‐demented, community‐dwelling older adults sample (n = 48), and to determine the effect of depressive symptoms upon this relationship.

Methods

Anxious and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Checklist 90—Revised. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status.

Results

Results indicated that although both cognitive functioning and anxious symptoms were within normal limits in this sample, anxious symptoms showed a significant, inverse relationship with global cognitive function [r(47) = −0.400, p = 0.005]. In addition, specific relationships were noted between severity of anxious symptoms and visuospatial/constructional ability as well as immediate and delayed memory. With regard to the secondary objective, both anxiety and depressive symptoms together accounted for the highest level of variance [R2 = 0.175, F(2, 45) = 4.786, p = 0.013] compared with anxiety [R2(47) = 0.160, p = 0.005] and depression [R2(47) = 0.106, p = 0.024] alone. Nevertheless, neither anxious nor depressive symptoms emerged as a unique correlate with cognitive ability [r(47) = −0.278, p = 0.058; r(48) = −0.136, p = 0.363, respectively].

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that subthreshold anxiety symptoms and cognitive functioning are significantly related even among generally healthy older adults whose cognitive ability and severity of anxious symptoms are within broad normal limits. These findings have implications both for clinical care of older patients, as well as for cognitive research studies utilizing this population. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of diaminoresorcinol with carbon monoxide
Authors: Mizuno Takumi , Nakai Takeo , Mihara Masatoshi , Ito Takatoshi
Published: September 2011

4,6‐Diaminoresorcinol, which is a raw material of ZYLON (PBO fiber), has an instability in air atmosphere. Therefore, very stable benzo[1,2‐d:5,4‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐oxazolone recognized a useful equivalent of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol during the stages of production, storage, and transportation. By combining the sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol dihydrochloride with carbon monoxide and triethylamine under 0.1 MPa at 20°C for 4 h in DMF with the oxidation of resulting hydrogen sulfide salt with molecular oxygen for 2 h, benzo‐[1,2‐d:5,4‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐oxazolone was obtained in a quantitative yield. Also, carbonylation of 2,5‐diaminohydroquinone dihydrochloride and 2,5‐diamino‐1,4‐benzenedithiol dihydrochloride was smoothly performed to give benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐oxazolone and benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐ thiazolone, respectively, in good to excellent yields under similar reaction conditions. Furthermore, 2,6‐dimercaptobenzo[1,2‐d:5,4‐d']bisoxazole, which is another equivalent of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol, was obtained in excellent yield by the thiocarbonylation of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol dihydro‐chloride with carbon disulfide in the presence of 1‐methylpyrrolidine at 20°C for 24 h in DMF. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:111–116, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20746
Structural diversity in the coordination of 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐diarsinine as a cyclic ditopic organoarsenic ligand to metal ions
Authors: Arita Manabu , Naka Kensuke , Morisaki Yasuhiro , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: September 2011

A number of different complexation structures of cis‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐dimethyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetrakis(t‐butoxycarbonyl)‐1,4‐diarsinine (cis‐DHDAtBu) with gold(I) and iridium(III) were synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C NMR spectra, X‐ray crystallography, and elemental analysis. Mono‐ and di‐nuclear gold(I) chloride complexes with cis‐DHDAtBu were obtained by simple addition of gold(I) chloride to cis‐DHDAtBu. A hetero‐trinuclear gold‐platinum‐gold complex (PtAu2Cl4(cis‐DHDAtBu)2) was obtained by complexation of a mononuclear platinum(II) complex (trans‐PtCl2(cis‐DHDAtBu)2), which was obtained by complexation of cis‐DHDAtBu with a half‐equimolar amount of PtCl2(PhCN)2, with a twice‐equimolar amount of gold(I) chloride. An iridium(III) complex with cis‐DHDAtBu (IrCl3(cis‐DHDAtBu)2) was prepared from hydrated iridium(III) chloride and cis‐DHDAtBu. The complex comprises a five‐membered chelate cis‐DHDAtBu and an usual monodentate cis‐DHDAtBu. The interior angles at around the arsenic and the As–C—C bond angles were significantly varied from 113.4° to 129.4° in the present crystal. These observations suggest that the flexibility of the bond angles at around the arsenic center is inherent property in the present organoarsenic compounds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:16–26, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20747
PPh3‐catalyzed knoevenagel condensation: A facile synthesis of 5‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)Meth‐ ylene)‐2, 2‐Dimethyl‐1, 3‐Dioxane‐4, 6‐dione, and their N‐alkyl derivatives by using peg‐600 as the reaction medium
Authors: Venkatanarayana Muvvala , Kumar Dubey Pramod
Published: September 2011

Triphenylphosphine (TPP) has been utilized as a novel and efficient catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation of indole‐3‐carboxaldehydes 1(a–e), 1‐methyl‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxaldehydes 4(a–e), and 1‐ethyl‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxaldehydes 6(a–e) with the active methylene compound, that is, meldrum's acid (2), to afford substituted derivatives 5‐((1H‐indol‐3‐yl) methylene)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione 3(a–e), 2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐((1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methylene)‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione 5(a–e), and 2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐((1‐ethyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methylene)‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione 7(a–e), respectively, in ethanol medium at RT just within 1 h in excellent yields. The products 3(a–e) were reacted independently with alkylating agents, that is, DMS and DES in the presence of PEG‐600 as an efficient and green solvent, to afford the corresponding N‐substituted methyl and ethyl derivatives 5(a–e) and 7(a–e), respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:41–48, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20750
Institutional ethos: Replicating the student experience
Authors: Howman Wood Cynthia
Published: September 2011

A common criticism of IBCs is that they cannot recreate the student culture of the home campus. While this is true, some IBCs have gone to great lengths not only to create a comparable culture for their students, but also to integrate their students into the culture of the home campus.
Operational considerations for opening a branch campus abroad
Authors: Harding Lawrence M. , Lammey Robert W.
Published: September 2011

This chapter provides specific advice for how IBCs can negotiate entry into a foreign legal environment and operate support systems that can coordinate the management operations on multiple campuses.
Secondary Metabolites from the Fungus Monascus purpureus and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Cheng Ming‐Jen , Yang Ping‐Hsun , Wu Ming‐Der , Chen Ih‐Sheng , Hsieh Ming‐Tsuen , Chen Yen‐Lin , Yuan Gwo‐Fang
Published: September 2011

Investigation of the 95% EtOH extract of red yeast rice fermented with the fungus Monascus purpureus BCRC 31615 has led to the isolation and structure elucidation of four new compounds, including one new azaphilone analog, monascuspurpurone (1), a new isocoumarin, monaschromone (2), a new furan‐3‐one derivative, 2‐dodecyl‐5‐(2‐methoxyethyl)‐2‐methylfuran‐3(2H)‐one (3), and a new alkaloid, methyl 4‐[(E)‐2‐acetyl‐4‐oxoundec‐1‐enyl]‐6‐propylnicotinate (4), together with seven known compounds. The structures of all isolates were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature data. Compounds 1–4 were tested for their cytotoxicity against the MCF‐7, NCI‐H460, and SF‐268 cell lines using the MTT (=3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide) assay. Among them, compounds 1 and 4 were found to have moderate cytotoxic effects against these three cell lines in vitro.
Asymmetric Mannich‐Type Synthesis of N‐Phosphinyl α‐Aminophosphonic Acid Monoesters
Authors: Fang Zhijia , Yang Haohao , Miao Zhiwei , Chen Ruyu
Published: September 2011

A convenient diastereoselective synthesis of diisopropyl (2R,3R)‐3‐{{{(R/S)‐aryl[(diethoxyphosphinyl)amino]methyl}hydroxyphosphinyl}oxy}‐2‐hydroxybutanedioate through Mannich‐type reactions is reported. The reactions take place under mild conditions in good yields, and this makes it possible to introduce various substituents at the α‐position to the P‐atom of α‐aminophosphonates. The chiral diisopropyl (4R,5R)‐2‐chloro‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane‐4,5‐dicarboxylate (3) was found to be a good phosphonylating agent in this stereoselective reaction.
Tin(II) Halide Insertion or Halogen Exchange in the Reactions of Dihaloplatinum(II) Complexes with Tin(II) Halide
Authors: Momeni Badri Z. , Kazmi Hoori , Najafi Atefeh
Published: September 2011

Reactions of SnCl2 with the complexes cis‐[PtCl2(P2)] (P2=dppf (1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene), dppp (1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane=1,1′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)bis[1,1‐diphenylphosphine]), dppb (1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane=1,1′‐(butane‐1,4‐diyl)bis[1,1‐diphenylphosphine]), and dpppe (1,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane=1,1′‐(pentane‐1,5‐diyl)bis[1,1‐diphenylphosphine])) resulted in the insertion of SnCl2 into the PtCl bond to afford the cis‐[PtCl(SnCl3)(P2)] complexes. However, the reaction of the complexes cis‐[PtCl2(P2)] (P2=dppf, dppm (bis(diphenylphosphino)methane=1,1′‐methylenebis[1,1‐diphenylphosphine]), dppe (1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane=1,1′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[1,1‐diphenylphosphine]), dppp, dppb, and dpppe; P=Ph3P and (MeO)3P) with SnX2 (X=Br or I) resulted in the halogen exchange to yield the complexes [PtX2(P2)]. In contrast, treatment of cis‐[PtBr2(dppm)] with SnBr2 resulted in the insertion of SnBr2 into the PtBr bond to form cis‐[Pt(SnBr3)2(dppm)], and this product was in equilibrium with the starting complex cis‐[PtBr2(dppm)]. Moreover, the reaction of cis‐[PtCl2(dppb)] with a mixture SnCl2/SnI2 in a 2 : 1 mol ratio resulted in the formation of cis‐[PtI2(dppb)] as a consequence of the selective halogen‐exchange reaction. 31P‐NMR Data for all complexes are reported, and a correlation between the chemical shifts and the coupling constants was established for mono‐ and bis(trichlorostannyl)platinum complexes. The effect of the alkane chain length of the ligand and SnII halide is described.
A New Four‐Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Spiro[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine‐4,3′‐[3H]indoles]
Authors: Feiz Afsaneh , Shakibaei Ghazaleh Imani , Yasaei Zahra , Reza Khavasi Hamid , Bazgir Ayoob
Published: September 2011

A new four‐component synthesis of spiro[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine‐4,3′‐[3H]indoles] and spiro[acenaphthylene‐1(2H),4′‐[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridines] by the reaction of indane‐1,3‐dione, 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, isatins (=1H‐indole‐2,3‐diones) or acenaphthylene‐1,2‐dione, and AcONH4 in refluxing toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyridine is reported.
Cytotoxic Naphtho‐γ‐pyrones from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus tubingensis (GX1‐5E)
Authors: Huang Hong‐Bo , Xiao Ze‐En , Feng Xiao‐Jun , Huang Cai‐Huan , Zhu Xun , Ju Jian‐Hua , Li Meng‐Feng , Lin Yong‐Cheng , Liu Lan , She Zhi‐Gang
Published: September 2011

Four new dimeric naphtho‐γ‐pyrones, named rubasperone D (1), rubasperone E (2), rubasperone F (3), and its atropisomer rubasperone G (4), together with four known monomeric naphtho‐γ‐pyrones, TMC 256 A1 (5), rubrofusarin B (6), fonsecin (7), and flavasperone (8), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Aspergillus tubingensis (GX1‐5E) cultivated in solid rice medium. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and MS. In the in vitro cytotoxicity assays, 5 displayed inhibitory activities against tumor cell lines of MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐435, Hep3B, Huh7, SNB19, and U87 MG with IC50 values between 19.92 and 47.98 μM. Compounds 1, 6, and 8 also showed mild cytotoxic activity.
A Convenient Synthesis of Functionalized α‐Methylidenebutano‐4‐lactams
Authors: Liberge Gwenaëlle , Lebrun Stéphane , Couture Axel , Grandclaudon Pierre
Published: September 2011

A concise synthetic approach to functionalized α‐methylidenebutanolactams has been developed. The synthetic strategy is based on the preliminary assembly of the lactam template equipped with appropriate functionalities. Subsequent installation of the methylidene by a metalation/alkylation/elimination sequence completed the elaboration of the racemic title compounds.
A New Phenolic Diglycoside Produced in Response to Copper Toxicity and a New Flavan Dimer from the Leaves of Viburnum ichangense (Hemsl.) Rehd.
Authors: Wu Bin , Wang Kuiwu , Wu Xiaodan
Published: September 2011

A new phenolic digycoside 1 was produced as stress metabolite in the fresh leaves of Viburnum ichangense (Hemsl.) Rehd., in response to abiotic stress elicitation by CuCl2. The stress metabolite was characterized as 1‐O‐[α‐L‐arabinofuranosyl(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐erythro‐1,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)propane‐1,3‐diol (1). A new flavan dimer, 2,3‐epoxyflavan‐3′,4′,5,7‐tetraol‐(4→8″)‐flavan‐3″,3′′′,4′′′,5′′′,6″‐pentaol (2), and two known compounds, hovetrichoside A (3) and asperglaucide (4), were also isolated. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means.
Serum MMP‐8 levels increase in colorectal cancer and correlate with disease course and inflammatory properties of primary tumors
Authors: Väyrynen Juha P. , Vornanen Juha , Tervahartiala Taina , Sorsa Timo , Bloigu Risto , Salo Tuula , Tuomisto Anne , Mäkinen Markus J.
Published: September 2011

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) form a family of zinc‐dependent endoproteases participating in cancer pathogenesis by promoting invasion and regulating growth signaling, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immune responses. MMP‐8 is an intriguing MMP with recently discovered antitumor activity and immunoregulatory properties, but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been studied extensively. Preoperative serum MMP‐8 levels (S‐MMP‐8) of 148 CRC patients and 83 healthy controls were measured using an immunofluorometric assay and related to clinical and pathological parameters. The patients had higher S‐MMP‐8 than the controls (median 63.0 vs. 17.2 ng/ml, p = 1.5E − 9), and a receiver operating characteristics analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.751 in differentiating the groups. In univariate analyses, S‐MMP‐8 correlated positively with disease stage (p = 4.5E − 4), the degree of primary tumor necrosis (p = 0.0024) and blood neutrophil count (Pearson r = 0.523, p = 2.5E − 9). Particular interest was also addressed to the inflammatory properties of the tumors, and both variables studied, peritumoral tumor‐destructing inflammatory infiltrate and Crohn's‐like lymphoid reaction (CLR), showed a negative correlation with S‐MMP‐8 (p = 0.041 and p = 0.0057, respectively). In a multiple linear regression analysis, high S‐MMP‐8 associated with elevated blood neutrophil count, distant metastases, low‐grade CLR and low body mass index. Overall, our results indicate that MMP‐8 is involved in the course and progression of CRC influencing the immune response against the tumor and contributing to the resolution of necrosis. Serum or plasma MMP‐8 may prove to be a worthy biomarker for CRC.
A comprehensive study of polymorphisms in the ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2, NR1I2 genes and lymphoma risk
Authors: Campa Daniele , Butterbach Katja , Slager Susan L. , Skibola Christine F. , de Sanjosé Silvia , Benavente Yolanda , Becker Nikolaus , Foretova Lenka , Maynadie Marc , Cocco Pierluigi , Staines Anthony , Kaaks Rudolf , Boffetta Paolo , Brennan Paul , Conde Lucia , Bracci Paige M. , Caporaso Neil E. , Strom Sara S. , Camp Nicola J. , Cerhan James R. , Consortium GEC , Canzian Federico , Nieters Alexandra
Published: September 2011

Owing to their role in controlling the efflux of toxic compounds, transporters are central players in the process of detoxification and elimination of xenobiotics, which in turn is related to cancer risk. Among these transporters, ATP‐binding cassette B1/multidrug resistance 1 (ABCB1/MDR1), ABCC2/multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) and ABCG2/breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) affect susceptibility to many hematopoietic malignancies. The maintenance of regulated expression of these transporters is governed through the activation of intracellular “xenosensors” like the nuclear receptor 1I2/pregnane X receptor (NR1I2/PXR). SNPs in genes encoding these regulators have also been implicated in the risk of several cancers. Using a tagging approach, we tested the hypothesis that common polymorphisms in the transporter genes ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2 and the regulator gene NR1I2 could be implicated in lymphoma risk. We selected 68 SNPs in the four genes, and we genotyped them in 1,481 lymphoma cases and 1,491 controls of the European case–control study (EpiLymph) using the Illumina GoldenGate™ assay technology. Carriers of the SNP rs6857600 minor allele in ABCG2 was associated with a decrease in risk of B‐cell lymphoma (B‐NHL) overall (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a decreased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was associated with the ABCG2 rs2231142 variant (p = 0.0004), which could be replicated in an independent population. These results suggest a role for this gene in B‐NHL susceptibility, especially for CLL.
Fast density matrix‐based partitioning of the energy over the atoms in a molecule consistent with the hirshfeld‐I partitioning of the electron density
Authors: Vanfleteren Diederik , Ghillemijn Dieter , Van Neck Dimitri , Bultinck Patrick , Waroquier Michel , Ayers Paul W.
Published: September 2011

For the Hirshfeld‐I atom in the molecule (AIM) model, associated single‐atom energies and interaction energies at the Hartree–Fock level are efficiently determined in one‐electron Hilbert space. In contrast to most other approaches, the energy terms are fully consistent with the partitioning of the underlying one‐electron density matrix (1DM). Starting from the Hirshfeld‐I AIM model for the electron density, the molecular 1DM is partitioned with a previously introduced double‐atom scheme (Vanfleteren et al., J Chem Phys 2010, 132, 164111). Single‐atom density matrices are constructed from the atomic and bond contributions of the double‐atom scheme. As the Hartree–Fock energy can be expressed solely in terms of the 1DM, the partitioning of the latter over the AIM naturally leads to a corresponding partitioning of the Hartree–Fock energy. When the size of the molecule or the molecular basis set does not grow too large, the method shows considerable computational advantages compared with other approaches that require cumbersome numerical integration of the molecular energy integrals weighted by atomic weight functions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in various forms of hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Duygu Fazilet , Tekin Koruk Suda , Aksoy Nurten
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the activity of paraoxonase and arylesterase enzymes in various clinical forms of hepatitis B infection and to investigate the correlation between these parameters and chronic disease course/fibrosis. Overall, 40 patients diagnosed as hepatitis B carriers (CIHBV), 40 chronic active hepatitis B (CAHBV) patients, and 40 healthy adults (control group) between 18 and 65 years of age were enrolled the study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Their activities were significantly lower in patients with CAHBV compared with CIHBV patients or with control group patients (P<0.001). There was a negative correlation between alanine aminotransferase levels and theactivity of paraoxonase and arylesterase (r=−0.38, P=0.001 and r=−0.28, P=0.002, respectively). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between arylesterase activity in the sera of CAHBV patients and HBV DNA levels (ρ=−0.33, P=0.03). On the contrary, no correlation was found between paraoxonase levels and HBV DNA levels (P>0.05). The histology activity index of CAHBV patients did not correlate with paraoxonase and arylesterase activities (P>0.05). In light of these findings, it may be assumed that during the progression of an inactive hepatitis B carrier to being actively infected, reduced paraoxonase and arylesterase activities may be observed. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:311–316, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
γ/IgG ratio: role in distinguishing monoclonal spikes from fibrinogen
Authors: Lee Maria Teresa , Caturegli Patrizio , Humphrey Richard L. , Thompson Richard E. , Detrick Barbara
Published: September 2011

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a standard screening method for detecting monoclonal gammopathies. Presence of fibrinogen, however, can mimic a true monoclonal spike and interfere with accurate monoclonal protein identification. We describe a novel approach for distinguishing fibrinogen spikes from true monoclonal spikes. We classified 600 individual patient samples into four groups: group 1, 58 samples with a fibrinogen spike; group 2, 127 samples with a spike due to a monoclonal gammopathy; group 3, 181 samples with previously established monoclonal gammopathies but resolved posttreatment; and group 4, 234 control samples without monoclonal gammopathies. The value of using a γ regionfraction/IgG ratio in distinguishing fibrinogen from true monoclonal spikes was assessed. The γ/IgG ratio in the fibrinogen group is significantly (P<0.0001) higher than this ratio in the other three groups. A γ/IgG ratio cut‐off value of 1.13 discriminates true monoclonal gammopathies from fibrinogen. Moreover, exclusion of elevated IgA or IgM cases improves the ratio's predictive power. The probability cut‐off is 0.756, corresponding to a γ/IgG ratio of 1 (93% sensitivity, 91% specificity). Using the γ/IgG ratio improves the screening power of SPEP and offers a simple and reliable diagnostic tool for distinguishing fibrinogen spikes from true monoclonal spikes. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:332–336, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Method of stabilizing blood for the determination of methemoglobin
Authors: Shihana Fathima , Dawson Andrew H. , Dissanayake Dhammika M.
Published: September 2011

Methemoglobin (MetHb) is a significant clinical problem for some poisonings. Its measurement is a problem as both formation and reduction of MetHb can occur even after sampling with time. The objective of this study was to discover a method to stabilize the blood samples for the determination of MetHb. First, hemolysates were prepared by diluting the MetHb blood samples with phosphate buffers under different pH values. The samples were stored at 4–8°C and a day‐to‐day variability in the amount of MetHb was determined using the method described by Evelyn and Malloy. The results show that there is a significantchange in the amount of MetHbstored in both KH2PO4/Na2HPO4 and KH2PO4/Na2HPO4.2H2O buffer solutions at pH of 6.7 and 6.9. Buffer solution containing phosphate composition of KH2PO4/Na2HPO4·2H2O (pH=7.0) gives relatively stable values for MetHb during the storage and the amount of MetHb samples in the buffer solution retain constant up to 9 days. Therefore, stabilized MetHb blood samples can be prepared using KH2PO4/Na2HPO4·2H2O buffer solution (pH=7) with non‐ionic detergent and the samples can be stored for several days at 4–8°C. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:366–368, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.