bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aurothiomalate as Preventive and Chain‐Breaking Antioxidant in Radical Degradation of High‐Molar‐Mass Hyaluronan
Authors: Valachová Katarína , Vargová Andrea , Rapta Peter , Hrabárová Eva , Dráfi František , Bauerová Katarína , Juránek Ivo , Šoltés Ladislav
Published: July 2011

The potential anti‐ or pro‐oxidative effects of a disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug, aurothiomalate, to protect high‐molar‐mass hyaluronan against radical degradation were investigated along with L‐glutathione – tested in similar functions. Hyaluronan degradation was induced by the oxidative system CuII plus ascorbate known as the Weissberger's oxidative system. The time‐ and dose‐dependent changes of the dynamic viscosity of the hyaluronan solutions were studied by the method of rotational viscometry. Additionally, the antioxidative activity of aurothiomalate expressed as a radical‐scavenging capacity based on a decolorization 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay was inspected. At the higher concentrations tested, L‐glutathione showed excellent scavenging of .OH and peroxyl‐type radicals, however, at the lowest concentration applied, its pro‐oxidative effect was revealed. The effects of aurothiomalate on hyaluronan degradation were similar to that of L‐glutathione, however, at the lowest concentration tested, no significant pro‐oxidant effect was observed.
Defensive Secretions inCallipodella fasciata(Latzel, 1882; Diplopoda, Callipodida, Schizopetalidae)
Authors: Makarov Slobodan E. , Ćurčić Božidar P. M. , Vujisić Ljubodrag V. , Jadranin Milka B. , Tešević Vele V. , Vučković Ivan M. , Sekulić Tatjana L. , Ćurčić Srećko B. , Mitić Bojan M.
Published: July 2011

The small millipedeCallipodella fasciatasecretes an earthy smell when disturbed. This secretion was obtained by CH2Cl2extraction from specimens of both sexes and was identified by GC/MS analyses to be composed ofp‐cresol (96.5%), phenol (3.5%), andp‐ethylphenol (traces). This is the first identification of these compounds in an epigean European callipodidan species and the first report of intergeneric differences in the chemical composition of defensive secretions in callipodidans. These compounds have repellent, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.
Antioxidant and Pro‐Oxidant Evaluation of a Potentilla alba L. Rhizome Extract
Authors: Damien Dorman H. J. , Shikov Alexander N. , Pozharitskaya Olga N. , Hiltunen Raimo
Published: July 2011

Using spectrophotometric methods, a H2O‐soluble Potentilla alba L. rhizome extract was evaluated phytochemically, i.e., the total phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, flavanone, and proanthocyanidin contents were determined, and its antioxidant and pro‐oxidant properties, i.e., the FeIII reductive and the FeII chelating properties, the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH.), N,N‐dimethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (DMPD.+), and superoxide anion radical (O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$)‐scavenging activities, the capacity to inhibit hydroxyl radical (HO.)‐mediated deoxy‐D‐ribose and phospholipid degradation, and the interaction with the Cu‐catalyzed HO.‐mediated DNA degradation, were determined. The extract was found to contain a range of phenolic compounds recognized to possess strong antioxidant‐like properties. Moreover, the extract demonstrated dose‐dependent activities in all the antioxidant assays with the exception of the DNA‐degradation assay, where the components within the extract interfered with the assay components at concentrations ≥1.00 mg/ml. Potentilla species are known for their curative properties, with aerial/subterranean parts being prescribed for numerous indications. The data presented here suggests, though does not conclude, that the rhizomes contain compounds possessing a range of antioxidant‐related properties, which may underpin the therapeutic, viz., anti‐inflammatory and adaptogenic effects, ascribed to species of this genus.
Total Syntheses of Cyanthiwigins B, F, and G
Authors: Enquist John A. , Virgil Scott C. , Stoltz Brian M.
Published: July 2011

A concise and versatile approach toward the preparation of the cyanthiwigin family of cyathane natural products is described. By leveraging a unique double asymmetric catalytic alkylation procedure it is possible to quickly establish two of the most critical stereocenters of the cyanthiwigin framework with high levels of selectivity and expediency. The synthetic route additionally employs both a tandem ring‐closing cross‐metathesis reaction, and an aldehyde‐olefin radical cyclization process, in order to rapidly arrive at the tricyclic cyathane core of the cyanthiwigin molecules. From this unifying intermediate, the preparations of cyanthiwigins B, F, and G are attained swiftly and without the need for protecting groups.
Helical Carbon Nanotubes: Intrinsic Peroxidase Catalytic Activity and Its Application for Biocatalysis and Biosensing
Authors: Cui Rongjing , Han Zhida , Zhu Jun‐Jie
Published: July 2011

A combined hydrothermal/hydrogen reduction method has been developed for the mass production of helical carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) by the pyrolysis of acetylene at 475 °C in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The synthesized HCNTs have been characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, and contact‐angle measurements. The as‐prepared helical‐structured carbon nanotubes have a large specific surface area and high peroxidase‐like activity. Catalysis was found to follow Michaelis–Menten kinetics and the HCNTs showed strong affinity for both H2O2 and 3,3′,5,5′,‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Based on the high activity, the HCNTs were firstly used to develop a biocatalyst and amperometric sensor. At pH 7.0, the constructed amperometric sensor showed a linear range for the detection of H2O2 from 0.5 to 115 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 without the need for an electron‐transfer mediator. Because of their low cost and high stability, these novel metallic HCNTs represent a promising candidate as mimetic enzymes and may find a wide range of new applications, such as in biocatalysis, immunoassay, and environmental monitoring.
Rapid Synthesis of Porous Honeycomb Cu/Pd through a Hydrogen‐Bubble Templating Method
Authors: Najdovski Ilija , Selvakannan PR , O'Mullane Anthony P. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: July 2011

A rapid electrochemical method based on using a clean hydrogen‐bubble template to form a bimetallic porous honeycomb Cu/Pd structure has been investigated. The addition of palladium salt to a copper‐plating bath under conditions of vigorous hydrogen evolution was found to influence the pore size and bulk concentration of copper and palladium in the honeycomb bimetallic structure. The surface was characterised by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which revealed that the surface of honeycomb Cu/Pd was found to be rich with a Cu/Pd alloy. The inclusion of palladium in the bimetallic structure not only influenced the pore size, but also modified the dendritic nature of the internal wall structure of the parent copper material into small nanometre‐sized crystallites. The chemical composition of the bimetallic structure and substantial morphology changes were found to significantly influence the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic response for immobilised rhodamine B and the hydrogen‐evolution reaction. The ability to create free‐standing films of this honeycomb material may also have many advantages in the areas of gas‐ and liquid‐phase heterogeneous catalysis.
A Comparative Study of Ozonation, Homogeneous Catalytic Ozonation, and Photocatalytic Ozonation for C.I. Reactive Red 194 Azo Dye Degradation
Authors: Yıldırım A. Özlem , Gül Şermin , Eren Orkide , Kuşvuran Erdal
Published: July 2011

In this study, the decolorization, dearomatization, and mineralization efficiencies of different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs; namely O3, O3/Fe(II), O3/Fe(II)/UVA, and O3/TiO2/UVA) were investigated for the azo dye C.I. Reactive Red 194 (RR194). The effects of pH (3–11), amount of TiO2 (0.05–1 g/L), and concentration of Fe(II) (0.1–1.6 mM) were investigated for the applied methods. The decolorization and mineralization efficiencies of the photocatalytic ozonation system (O3/TiO2/UVA) were increased by decreasing the pH of the dye solution in contrast to the ozonation system (O3). Decolorization of RR194 was increased in the photocatalytic ozonation system with an increasing amount of catalyst however, a decreasing was occurred for the homogeneous catalytic system (O3/Fe(II)) when increasing the concentration of catalyst. The decolorization efficiency of the homogeneous catalytic system (O3/Fe(II)) was enhanced when combined with UVA light. In our study, the most efficient method for dearomatization and mineralization was the O3/TiO2/UVA among the applied AOPs.
Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Amino Esters Bearing a Benzothiazole Moiety via a Mannich‐Type Reaction Catalyzed by a Cinchona Alkaloid Derivative
Authors: Li Liang , Song Bao‐An , Bhadury Pinaki S. , Zhang Yu‐Ping , Hu De‐Yu , Yang Song
Published: July 2011

Novel β‐amino esters bearing a bioactive benzothiazole moiety were obtained with high enantioselectivities (up to 95 % ee) through a Mannich‐type reaction of different imines with malonate in the presence of a new chiral cinchona alkaloid thiourea catalyst. Imines derived from both aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes were found useful in this conversion.
Nonenzymatic Amperometric Glucose Sensor Based on Nanoporous Gold/Ruthenium Electrode
Authors: Shim Jun Ho , Cha Areum , Lee Youngmi , Lee Chongmok
Published: July 2011

Nanoporous gold/ruthenium (npAu‐Ru) nanocomposite catalysts were synthesized by the incorporation of Ru on npAu, which exhibited reasonable nonenzymatic glucose sensing characteristics with good sensitivity and selectivity. The structure and electrocatalytic activities of the npAu and npAu‐Ru catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry. To examine the detection of glucose, npAu and npAu‐Ru were loaded on a glassy carbon electrode with chitosan (CHIT) as capping agent for the nanocomposites, GC/npAu/CHIT and GC/npAu‐Ru/CHIT electrode, respectively. The GC/npAu‐Ru/CHIT electrode showed six fold higher sensitivity (240 µA mM−1 cm−2 for the linear dynamic range) for amperometric glucose detection than the GC/npAu/CHIT electrode. This could be attributed to the incorporation of Ru. Moreover the GC/npAu‐Ru/CHIT electrode displayed selectivity for glucose over biological interferents, including ascorbic acid and uric acid.
Evaluation of clarithromycin lactobionate as a novel chiral selector for enantiomeric separation of basic drugs in capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Yu Tao , Du Yingxiang , Chen Bin
Published: July 2011

Nowadays, macrocyclic antibiotics are presenting an increasing number of enantioseparation applications. The macrocyclic antibiotics used as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis (CE) include the ansamycins and the glycopeptides. The macrolides, another important class of macrocyclic antibiotics, have been reported as a new type of chiral selectors recently. In this study, clarithromycin lactobionate (CL), belonging to the group of macrolide antibiotics, was first investigated for its potential as a novel chiral selector in CE for enantiomeric separation of several basic drugs. As observed, CL allowed excellent separation of the enantiomers of metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, bisoprolol, esmolol, ritodrine, and amlodipine, as well as partial enantioresolution of labetalol and nefopam. In addition, CL possesses advantages such as high solubility and low viscosity in the solvent and very weak UV absorption. In the course of this study, it was found that both migration times and enantioseparation of the basic drugs were influenced by several experimental parameters, e.g. selector concentration, the composition and pH of the BGE, the type and concentration of organic modifier, and applied voltage. Thus, the effects of these factors were systematically investigated, and satisfactory enantioseparations of the studied drugs were achieved at the buffer pH range of 7.3–7.5 using 12.5 mM borax buffer with 50% v/v methanol, 60 mM CL, and 20 kV applied voltage. Moreover, comparison of the influences of the studied parameters was further investigated by means of Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) in this article.
In‐line preconcentration capillary zone electrophoresis for the analysis of haloacetic acids in water
Authors: Bernad Josep O. , Damascelli Anna , Núñez Oscar , Galceran Maria T.
Published: July 2011

Two in‐line enrichment procedures (large volume sample stacking (LVSS) and field amplified sample injection (FASI)) have been evaluated for the CZE analysis of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in drinking water. For LVSS, separation on normal polarity using 20 mM acetic acid–ammonium acetate (pH 5.5) containing 20% ACN as BGE was required. For FASI, the optimum conditions were 25 s hydrodynamic injection (3.5 kPa) of a water plug followed by 25 s electrokinetic injection (−10 kV) of the sample, and 200 mM formic acid–ammonium formate buffer at pH 3.0 as BGE. For both FASI and LVSS methods, linear calibration curves (r2>0.992), limit of detection on standards prepared in Milli‐Q water (49.1–200 μg/L for LVSS and 4.2–48 μg/L for FASI), and both run‐to‐run and day‐to‐day precisions (RSD values up to 15.8% for concentration) were established. Due to the higher sensitive enhancement (up to 310‐fold) achieved with FASI‐CZE, this method was selected for the analysis of HAAs in drinking water. However, for an optimal FASI application sample salinity was removed by SPE using Oasis WAX cartridges. With SPE‐FASI‐CZE, method detection limits in the range 0.05–0.8 μg/L were obtained, with recoveries, in general, higher than 90% (around 65% for monochloroacetic and monobromoacetic acids). The applicability of the SPE‐FASI‐CZE method was evaluated by analyzing drinking tap water from Barcelona where seven HAAs were found at concentration levels between 3 and 13 μg/L.
Comparative analysis of CE‐SSCP to standard RFLP‐CE‐FLA method in quantification of known viral variants within an RNA virus quasispecies
Authors: Gulija Tanja Košutić , Ivancic‐Jelecki Jelena , Šantak Maja , Forcic Dubravko
Published: July 2011

RNA viruses display the highest replication error rate in our biosphere, leading to highly diverse viral populations termed quasispecies. The gold standard method for detection and quantification of variants in a quasispecies is cloning and sequencing, but it is expensive, laborious and time consuming. Therefore, other mutation detection approaches, including SSCP, are often used. In this study, we demonstrate development and the usage of a CE‐SSCP method for quantification of two nearly identical viral variants in heterogenic population of a mumps virus strain and its comparison to RFLP‐CE‐fragment length analysis (RFLP‐CE‐FLA). Analyzed PCR fragments were of the same size (245 bp) with one difference in their nucleotide sequence. The limit of detection of both methods was at 5% of the minor variant. When PCR amplicons of the two variants were pooled, methods' results were very similar. On the contrary, the quantification results of samples in which variants were mixed prior to PCR showed substantial difference between the two methods. Our results indicate that although both methods can be used for detection and monitoring of a specific mutation within a viral population, caution should be taken when quantitative analysis of complex samples is based solely on results of one method.
Proteins from Erwinia asparaginase Erwinase® and E. coli asparaginase 2 MEDAC® for treatment of human leukemia, show a multitude of modifications for which the consequences are completely unclear
Authors: Bae Narkhyun , Pollak Arnold , Lubec Gert
Published: July 2011

L‐Asparaginase from Erwinia chrysanthemi (ASPG_ERWCH; UniProtKB accession number P06608 (Erwinase®)) and L‐asparaginase 2 from Escherichia coli (ASPG2_ECOLI; UniProtKB accession number P00805 (Medac®)), both L‐asparagine amidohydrolases, are widely used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A series of serious side effects have been reported and this warrants studies into the protein chemistry of the medical products sold. Mass spectrometry (MS) data on ASPG_ERWCH and ASPG2_ECOLI have not been published so far and herein a gel‐based proteomics study was performed to provide information about sequence and modifications of the commercially available medical products. ASPG_ERWCH and ASPG2_ECOLI were applied onto two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, spots were in‐gel digested with several proteases and resulting peptides and protein modifications were analysed by nano‐ESI‐LC‐MS/MS. Four spots were observed for ASPG_ERWCH, six spots were observed for ASPG2_ECOLI and the identified proteins showed high sequence coverage without sequence conflicts. Several protein modifications including technical and posttranslational modifications were demonstrated. Protein modifications are known to change physicochemical, immunochemical, biological and pharmacological properties and results from this work may challenge re‐designing of the product including possible removal of the modifications by the manufacturer because it is not known whether they are contributing to the serious adverse effects of the protein drug.
Analysis of phospholipids using an open‐tubular capillary column with a monolithic layer of molecularly imprinted polymer in capillary electrochromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jang Rin , Kim Ki Hun , Zaidi Shabi Abbas , Cheong Won Jo , Moon Myeong Hee
Published: July 2011

In this study, an open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT‐CEC) column with a monolithic layer of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based on methacrylic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 4‐styrenesulfonic acid was utilized for the simultaneous separation and characterization of phospholipid (PL) molecular structures by interfacing with electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS‐MS). Introducing an MIP‐based monolith along with charged species at the OT column made it possible to separate PL molecules based on differences in head groups and acyl chain lengths in CEC. For the interface of OT‐CEC with ESI‐MS‐MS, a simple nanospray interface utilizing a sheath flow was developed and the resulting OT‐CEC‐ESI‐MS‐MS was able to separate PL standards (phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylglycerols, phosphatidic acid, and lysophosphatidylglycerols). The developed method was applied to human urinary lipid extracts, and resulted in the separation and structural identification of 18 molecules by data‐dependent collision‐induced dissociation.
Spatial variability in the speciation and bioaccumulation of mercury in an arid subtropical reservoir ecosystem
Authors: Becker Jesse C , Groeger Alan W , Nowlin Weston H , Chumchal Matthew M , Hahn Dittmar
Published: July 2011

Patterns of spatial variation of mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) were examined in sediments and muscle tissue of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Amistad International Reservoir, a large and hydrologically complex subtropical water body in the Rio Grande drainage. The distributions of both Hg and MeHg were compared with environmental and biological factors known to influence production of MeHg. The highest concentrations of total Hg (THg) in sediment were found in the Rio Grande arm of the reservoir, whereas MeHg was highest at sites in the Devils River arm and inundated Pecos River (often more than 3.0 ng/g). Conditions in the sediments of the Devils River arm and Pecos River channel were likely more favorable to the production of MeHg, with higher sediment porewater dissolved organic carbon, and porewater sulfate levels in the optimal range for methylation. Although the detection of different groups of sulfate-reducing bacteria by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was generally correlated with MeHg concentrations, bacterial counts via fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) did not correlate with MeHg. A sample of 156 largemouth bass (<30 cm) showed a spatial pattern similar to that of MeHg in sediments, where fish from the Devils River arm of the reservoir had higher muscle Hg concentrations than those collected in the Rio Grande arm. In 88 bass of legal sport fishing size (>35 cm), 77% exceeded the 0.3 mg/kg U.S. Environmental Protection Agency screening value. This study shows that significant variation in sediment MeHg and biotic Hg concentration can exist within lakes and reservoirs and that it can correspond to variation in environmental conditions and Hg methylation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2300–2311. © 2011 SETAC
Hydrocarbon concentrations and patterns in free-ranging sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Harris Kate A , Nichol Linda M , Ross Peter S
Published: July 2011

With oil pollution recognized as a major threat to British Columbia's recovering sea otter (Enhydra lutris) population, it is important to distinguish acute from chronic exposures to oil constituent groups in this marine mammal. Concentrations and patterns of alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in blood samples from 29 live-captured sea otters in two coastal areas of British Columbia, as well as in representative samples of their invertebrate prey. Hydrocarbon concentrations in sea otters were similar between areas and among age and sex classes, suggesting that metabolism dominates the fate of these compounds in sea otters. Biomagnification factors derived from PAH ratios in otter:prey supported this notion. Although some higher alkylated three- and four-ring PAHs appeared to biomagnify, the majority of PAHs did not. The apparent retention of alkyl PAHs was reflected in the composition of estimated sea otter body burdens, which provided an alternative way of evaluating hydrocarbon exposure. Alkyl PAHs made up 86 ± 9% of estimated body burdens (4,340 ± 2,950 µg), with no differences between males and females (p = 0.18). The importance of measuring both parent and alkyl PAHs is underscored by their divergent dynamics in sea otters, with ready depuration of parent PAHs (metabolized or excreted) by sea otters on the one hand and biomagnification of alkyl PAHs on the other. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2184–2193. © 2011 SETAC
Telomere maintenance in wilms tumors: First evidence for the presence of alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism
Authors: Venturini Lorenza , Daidone Maria Grazia , Motta Rosita , Collini Paola , Spreafico Filippo , Terenziani Monica , Piva Luigi , Radice Paolo , Perotti Daniela , Zaffaroni Nadia
Published: July 2011

Unlimited proliferative potential is a hallmark of cancer, and can be achieved through the activation of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs). Most tumors activate telomerase, but a significant minority, mainly of mesenchymal origin, uses a recombination‐based, alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. We investigated the presence of ALT in 34 Wilms tumor (WT) samples from 30 patients by using two approaches: (i) the detection of ALT‐associated promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (APBs) by combined PML immunofluorescence and telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization and (ii) the assessment of terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length distribution by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. In parallel, telomerase activity (TA) was determined by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Based on APB expression, ALT was detectable in five samples as the sole TMM and in six samples in association with telomerase. Seventeen samples only expressed TA and in six cases no known TMM was appreciable. Results of TRF length distribution were available in 32 cases, and a concordance between APB and TRF data in defining the ALT phenotype was found in 26/32 cases (81%). The study provides the first evidence of the presence of ALT in WT, and indicates that in a small but defined fraction of cases (about 15%) ALT is the only TMM that supports the development of WT. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Motor neuron impairment mediated by a sumoylated fragment of the glial glutamate transporter EAAT2
Authors: Foran Emily , Bogush Alexey , Goffredo Michael , Roncaglia Paola , Gustincich Stefano , Pasinelli Piera , Trotti Davide
Published: July 2011

Dysregulation of glutamate handling ensuing downregulation of expression and activity levels of the astroglial glutamate transporter EAAT2 is implicated in excitotoxic degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We previously reported that EAAT2 (a.k.a. GLT‐1) is cleaved by caspase‐3 at its cytosolic carboxy‐terminus domain. This cleavage results in impaired glutamate transport activity and generates a proteolytic fragment (CTE) that we found to be post‐translationally conjugated by SUMO1. We show here that this sumoylated CTE fragment accumulates in the nucleus of spinal cord astrocytes of the SOD1‐G93A mouse model of ALS at symptomatic stages of disease. Astrocytic expression of CTE, artificially tagged with SUMO1 (CTE‐SUMO1) to mimic the native sumoylated fragment, recapitulates the nuclear accumulation pattern of the endogenous EAAT2‐derived proteolytic fragment. Moreover, in a co‐culture binary system, expression of CTE‐SUMO1 in spinal cord astrocytes initiates extrinsic toxicity by inducing caspase‐3 activation in motor neuron‐derived NSC‐34 cells or axonal growth impairment in primary motor neurons. Interestingly, prolonged nuclear accumulation of CTE‐SUMO1 is intrinsically toxic to spinal cord astrocytes, although this gliotoxic effect of CTE‐SUMO1 occurs later than the indirect, noncell autonomous toxic effect on motor neurons. As more evidence on the implication of SUMO substrates in neurodegenerative diseases emerges, our observations strongly suggest that the nuclear accumulation in spinal cord astrocytes of a sumoylated proteolytic fragment of the astroglial glutamate transporter EAAT2 could participate to the pathogenesis of ALS and suggest a novel, unconventional role for EAAT2 in motor neuron degeneration. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A stepped care relapse prevention program for depression in older people: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Apil Sachlan R. A. , Hoencamp Erik , Judith Haffmans P. M. , Spinhoven Philip
Published: July 2011

Background

This study aimed to determine the feasibility and the effectiveness of a Stepped Care Program (SCP) for preventing relapse of depression in older people. Stepped care consisted of (1) watchful waiting; (2) bibliotherapy; (3) individual cognitive behavioral therapy; and (4) indicated treatment.

Methods

In a randomized controlled trial, persons 55 years and older (n = 136) who had suffered at least one episode of major depression in the past received a SCP or Care As Usual (CAU). The primary outcome measure was incidence of a new depressive episode.

Results

Of 1725 previously depressed persons, 175 were willing to partake in the study, 136 of whom were eligible. Treatment satisfaction for stepped care was high. At 12‐month follow‐up, no difference in incidence of depression between SCP and CAU was found. Medical patient records showed that missing data were often related to relapse.

Conclusions

In this study, SCP was not more effective in preventing relapse than CAU. Watchful waiting may harmfully delay actual preventive treatment. Prevention as an integral part of regular treatment might lead to higher participation rates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the neuropsychiatric inventory in mainland China
Authors: Wang Tao , Xiao Shifu , Li Xia , Wang Haihong , Liu Yuanyuan , Su Ning , Fang Yiru
Published: July 2011

Objective

The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the neuropsychiatric inventory (CNPI) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have not been assessed in mainland China. We do the reliability and validity research about CNPI of mainland China in the present study.

Methods

The CNPI was administered to 219 caregivers of patients with AD. Each caregiver was retested 4 weeks after initial testing.

Results

The Cronbach's α coefficient of the total symptom scale was 0.69. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the total caregiver distress subscale was 0.72. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the entire inventory was 0.82. The test–retest coefficients ranged from 0.66 to 0.98 (p < 0.001). Principal axis factoring analysis of the symptom subscale yielded a five‐factor solution, which contributed to 67.0% of the cumulative variance. Factor 1, which included aberrant motor behavior, hallucinations, delusion and irritability had the most significant contribution to the cumulative variance. Principal axis factoring analysis of the caregiver distress subscale also yielded a five‐factor solution, which contributed to 70.2% of the cumulative variance. Factor 1, which included depression, delusion, sleep/night behavior, aberrant motor behavior and irritability had the most significant contribution to the cumulative variance.

Conclusion

This Chinese version of NPI is a reliable and valid tool for measuring neuropsychiatric disturbances in patients with AD. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subjective memory impairment in older adults: aetiology, salience and help seeking
Authors: Begum Aysha , Morgan Craig , Chiu Chih‐Chiang , Tylee Andre , Stewart Robert
Published: July 2011

Background

Subjective memory impairment (SMI) is one of the key symptoms with which people with early cognitive impairment may present to health services. However, little research has investigated how older people view the symptom, its salience and how often help is sought. The objectives were to investigate (a) factors associated with SMI, (b) salience of SMI in comparison with other symptoms and (c) help seeking for SMI.

Method

A cross‐sectional survey was based in two Primary Care services in south London in which registered people aged 65+ were interviewed blind to the study objectives. Measurements included systematic ascertainment of SMI and other common symptoms/disorders. In each of these, concern and interference were quantified, and participants were asked to rank all reported symptoms/disorders in order of importance.

Results

Of 126 participants, any SMI was reported in 66.7%, and 31.0% reported SMI to a significant degree. SMI occupied a middling rank in terms of salience, being ranked as more concerning than angina, asthma, hypertension or a previous heart attack in around half of participants in whom these co‐occurred. However, only one participant with SMI had sought help from their GP, making it the least likely symptom to be reported.

Conclusion

Subjective memory impairment is common and appears to have functional and/or emotional significance for many older people. However, very few appear to seek medical attention for this symptom, which has implications for wider policy regarding prompt assessment and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A whole brain fMRI atlas generated via spatially constrained spectral clustering
Authors: Craddock R. Cameron , James G.Andrew , Holtzheimer Paul E. , Hu Xiaoping P. , Mayberg Helen S.
Published: July 2011

Connectivity analyses and computational modeling of human brain function from fMRI data frequently require the specification of regions of interests (ROIs). Several analyses have relied on atlases derived from anatomical or cyto‐architectonic boundaries to specify these ROIs, yet the suitability of atlases for resting state functional connectivity (FC) studies has yet to be established. This article introduces a data‐driven method for generating an ROI atlas by parcellating whole brain resting‐state fMRI data into spatially coherent regions of homogeneous FC. Several clustering statistics are used to compare methodological trade‐offs as well as determine an adequate number of clusters. Additionally, we evaluate the suitability of the parcellation atlas against four ROI atlases (Talairach and Tournoux, Harvard‐Oxford, Eickoff‐Zilles, and Automatic Anatomical Labeling) and a random parcellation approach. The evaluated anatomical atlases exhibit poor ROI homogeneity and do not accurately reproduce FC patterns present at the voxel scale. In general, the proposed functional and random parcellations perform equivalently for most of the metrics evaluated. ROI size and hence the number of ROIs in a parcellation had the greatest impact on their suitability for FC analysis. With 200 or fewer ROIs, the resulting parcellations consist of ROIs with anatomic homology, and thus offer increased interpretability. Parcellation results containing higher numbers of ROIs (600 or 1,000) most accurately represent FC patterns present at the voxel scale and are preferable when interpretability can be sacrificed for accuracy. The resulting atlases and clustering software have been made publicly available at: http://www.nitrc.org/projects/cluster_roi/. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
How cognitive performance‐induced stress can influence right VLPFC activation: An fMRI study in healthy subjects and in patients with social phobia
Authors: Koric Lejla , Volle Emmanuelle , Seassau Magali , Bernard Frédéric A. , Mancini Julien , Dubois Bruno , Pelissolo Antoine , Levy Richard
Published: July 2011

The neural bases of interactions between anxiety and cognitive control are not fully understood. We conducted an fMRI study in healthy participants and in patients with an anxiety disorder (social phobia) to determine the impact of stress on the brain network involved in cognitive control. Participants performed two working memory tasks that differed in their level of performance‐induced stress. In both groups, the cognitive tasks activated a frontoparietal network, involved in working memory tasks. A supplementary activation was observed in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) in patients during the more stressful cognitive task. Region of interest analyses showed that activation in the right VLPFC decreased in the more stressful condition as compared to the less stressful one in healthy subjects and remain at a similar level in the two cognitive tasks in patients. This pattern was specific to the right when compared to the left VLPFC activation. Anxiety was positively correlated with right VLPFC activation across groups. Finally, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation was higher in healthy subjects than in patients in the more stressful task. These findings demonstrate that in healthy subjects, stress induces an increased activation in left DLPFC, a critical region for cognitive control, and a decreased activation in the right VLPFC, an area associated with anxiety. In patients, the differential modulation between these dorsal and ventral PFC regions disappears. This absence of modulation may limit anxious patients' ability to adapt to demanding cognitive control tasks. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
First Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Gallicynoic Acids G and H
Authors: Radha Krishna Palakodety , Anitha Kadimi
Published: July 2011

A stereoselective convergent total synthesis of two acetylenic acids, gallicynoic acid G (1) and H (2), is reported, involving asymmetric reduction of alkynones 3 and 4, respectively, with the Corey BakshiSibata (CBS) catalyst as a key step (Scheme 3), 3 and 4 being obtained from a common intermediate, the chiral alkynol 12 (Scheme 2).
A Novel Synthesis of Isoflavones via Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization Reaction
Authors: Li Qiu‐Lian , Liu Qi‐Lun , Ge Zhi‐Yuan , Zhu Yong‐Ming
Published: July 2011

Isoflavone derivatives were synthesized via intramolecular cyclization of 3‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐3‐oxopropanal derivatives, using CuI as the catalyst, 2‐picolinic acid (=pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) as the ligand, K2CO3 as the base, and DMF as the solvent, in up to 96% yield. The synthesis is functional group‐tolerant.
Sesquiterpenoids from Fusarium sp., an Endophytic Fungus in Agriminia pilosa
Authors: Shan Wei‐Guang , Chen Xiao‐Xiao , Ying You‐Min , Zhan Zha‐Jun
Published: July 2011

Cultivation of the endophytic fungus isolated from the stems of Agriminia pilosa provided four new sesquiterpenoids, namely agripilols A–D (1–4, resp.). Structures of these isolates were elucidated by NMR and MS data. The isolation of drimane‐ and cadinane‐type sesquiterpenoids from the genus of Fusarium is reported for the first time.
Sesquiterpenoids from the Aerial Parts of Inula japonica
Authors: Gong Hai‐Qun , Wu Quan‐Xiang , Liu Lei‐Lei , Yang Jun‐Li , Wang Rui , Shi Yan‐Ping
Published: July 2011

Fourteen sesquiterpenoids with an eudesmane C‐atom skeleton, including four new ones, (1β,5α,7β,8β,11β)‐5‐hydroperoxy‐1‐hydroxyeudesm‐4(15)‐eno‐12,8‐lactone (1), (1β,5α,7β,8β)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐5‐hydroperoxy‐1‐hydroxycostic acid methyl ester (12), and a mixture of (1β,3β,4β,7β,8β)‐1,3‐dihydroxyeudesma‐5,11(13)‐dieno‐12,8‐lactone (7) and (1β,3β,4β,7β,8β,11β)‐1,3‐dihydroxyeudesm‐5‐eno‐12,8‐lactone (8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Inula japonica (Asteraceae). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, and those of 7 and 12 confirmed by means of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Two New Phenolic Compounds from the Rhizomes of Gastrodia elataBlume
Authors: Han Ah‐Reum , Ji Shin Hyun , Rim Jeon Ha , Lee Je‐Hyun , Lee Dongho , Seo Eun‐Kyoung
Published: July 2011

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae) led to the isolation and identification of twelve compounds, including two new phenolic compounds, 4‐hydroxybenzyl vanillyl ether (=4‐{[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methoxy]methyl}‐2‐methoxyphenol; 1) and 4‐{{4‐[4‐(methoxymethyl)phenoxy]benzyl}oxy}benzyl methyl ether (=1‐[4‐(methoxymethyl)phenoxy]‐4‐{[4‐(methoxymethyl)phenoxy]methyl}benzene; 2). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.
First Total Synthesis of Prionoid E, A Bioactive Rearranged Secoabietane Diterpene Quinone from Salvia prionitis
Authors: Deng Fei , Xu Jun , Zhao Min , Liu Hong‐Ying , Ye Yang , Zhang Jin‐Sheng
Published: July 2011

The first total synthesis of prionoid E (1), a rearranged secoabietane diterpene quinone isolated from Salvia prionitis, was achieved efficiently by means of Wacker oxidation (Scheme 5) and aldol condensation (Scheme 7) as the key steps in the synthetic sequence. Thus 1 was prepared in 15 steps in 3.7% yield starting on one hand from anisole (=methoxybenzene) and methylsuccinic anhydride (=dihydro‐3‐methylfuran‐2,5‐dione) via 4 (Scheme 3 and 5), and on the other hand from 2‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropanoic acid via 5 (Scheme 6).
Two New Steroidal Saponins from the Fresh Leaves of Agave sisalana
Authors: Yu He‐Shui , Zou Peng , Song Xin‐Bo , Kang Li‐Ping , Liu Yi‐Xun , Pang Xu , Zhang Jie , Fu Jing , Zhao Yang , Xiong Cheng‐Qi , Tan Da‐Wei , Zhang Li‐Juan , Ma Bai‐Ping
Published: July 2011

A new furostanol saponin, sisalasaponin C (1), and a new spirostanol saponin, sisalasaponin D (2), were isolated from the fresh leaves of Agave sisalana, along with three other known steroidal saponins and two stilbenes. Their structures were identified as (3β,5α,6α,22α,25R)‐3,26‐bis[(β‐D‐glucopyrano‐ syl)oxy]‐22‐hydroxyfurostan‐6‐yl β‐D‐glucopyranoside (1), (3β,5α,25R)‐12‐oxospirostan‐3‐yl 6‐deoxy‐α‐L‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐[β‐D‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (2), (3β,5α,6α,22α,25R)‐22‐methoxyfurostane‐3,6,26‐triyl tris‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, cantalasaponin‐1, polianthoside D, (E)‐ and (Z)‐2,3,4′,5‐tetrahydroxystilbene 2‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosides. The last three known compounds were isolated from the fresh leaves of Agavaceae for the first time. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, and chemical techniques.
Introduction of Adjacent Oxygen‐Functionalities in Dimethyl Heptalenedicarboxylates
Authors: Rogano Frank , Stojnic Danijela , Linden Anthony , Abou‐Hadeed Khaled , Hansen Hans‐Jürgen
Published: July 2011

The bromination of dimethyl 8‐methoxy‐1,6,10‐trimethylheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylate (6; Scheme 2) with N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) leads in acceptable yields to the corresponding 9‐bromoheptalenedicarboxylate 10 (Table 1). Ether cleavage of 6 with chlorotrimethylsilane (Me3SiCl)/NaI results in the formation of oxoheptalenedicarboxylate 13 in good yield (Scheme 4). The latter can be acetyloxylated to the (acetyloxy)oxoheptalenedicarboxylate 14 with Pb(OAc)4 in benzene (Scheme 5). Oxo derivative 14, in turn, can be selectively O‐methylated with dimethyl sulfate (DMS) in acetone to the (acetyloxy)methoxyheptalenedicarboxylates 15 and 15′ (Scheme 6). The AcO group of the latter can be transformed into a benzyl or methyl ether group by treatment with MeONa in DMF, followed by the addition of benzyl bromide or methyl iodide (cf. Scheme 9). Reduction of the ester groups of dimethyl 7,8‐dimethoxy‐5,6,10‐trimethylheptalene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (25′) with diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAH) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) leads to the formation of the corresponding dimethanol 26′, which can be cyclized oxidatively (IBX, dimethyl sulfoxide) to 8,9‐dimethoxy‐6,7,11‐trimethylheptaleno[1,2‐c]furan (27; Scheme 11).
Infants placed in foster care prior to their first birthday: Differences in kin and nonkin placements
Authors: Stacks Ann M. , Partridge Ty
Published: July 2011

Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well‐Being, this study examines differences between kinship and foster placements for infants placed in out‐of‐home care prior to their first birthday. The differences examined include developmental status at time of placement, differences in the home and neighborhood environments, and the duration of time in placement. Participants included 457 infants placed in either kinship or foster care and their caregivers. Findings suggest that infants placed with kin had fewer developmental concerns 2 to 6 months after the initial Child Protective Services investigation and spent significantly less time in placement. The quality of foster and kinship homes and neighborhoods also differed: Foster homes were generally of better quality and located in safer neighborhoods. Overall, for both kin and foster care, the data suggest that even after passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA, Public Law 105‐89), infants remain in care for a long time: Approximately one third of infants are still in out‐of‐home care 3 years after the initial investigation.
The structure and function of the rous sarcoma virus RNA stability element
Authors: Withers Johanna B. , Beemon Karen L.
Published: July 2011

For simple retroviruses, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), post‐transcriptional control elements regulate viral RNA splicing, export, stability, and packaging into virions. These RNA sequences interact with cellular host proteins to regulate and facilitate productive viral infections. One such element, known as the RSV stability element (RSE), is required for maintaining stability of the full‐length unspliced RNA. This viral RNA serves as the mRNA for the Gag and Pol proteins and also as the genome packaged in progeny virions. When the RSE is deleted from the viral RNA, the unspliced RNA becomes unstable and is degraded in a Upf1‐dependent manner. Current evidence suggests that the RSE inhibits recognition of the viral gag termination codon by the nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. We believe that the RSE acts as an insulator to NMD, thereby preventing at least one of the required functional steps that target an mRNA for degradation. Here, we discuss the history of the RSE and the current model of how the RSE is interacting with cellular NMD factors. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3085–3092, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autophagy in hypoxia protects cancer cells against apoptosis induced by nutrient deprivation through a beclin1‐dependent way in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Song Jianrui , Guo Xianling , Xie Xuqin , Zhao Xue , Li Ding , Deng Weijie , Song Yujiao , Shen Feng , Wu Mengchao , Wei Lixin
Published: July 2011

Oxygen deficiency and nutrient deprivation widely exists in solid tumors because of the poor blood supply. However, cancer cells can survive this adverse condition and proliferate continuously to develop. To figure out the way to survive, we investigated the role of autophagy in the microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma. In order to simulate the tumor microenvironment more veritably, cells were cultured in oxygen‐nutrient‐deprived condition following a hypoxia preconditioning. As a result, cell death under hypoxia plus nutrient deprivation was much less than that under nutrient deprivation only. And the decreased cell death mainly attributed to the decreased apoptosis. GFP‐LC3 and electron microscopy analysis showed that autophagy was significantly activated in the period of hypoxia preconditioning. However, autophagic inhibitor—3‐MA significantly abrogated the apoptosis reduction in hypoxia, which implied the involvement of autophagy in protection of hepatocellular carcinoma cells against apoptosis induced by starvation. Furthermore, Beclin 1 was proved to play an important role in this process. siRNA targeting Beclin 1 was transfected into hepatocellular carcinoma cells. And both data from western blot detecting the expression of LC3‐II and transmission microscopy observing the accumulation of autophagosomes showed that autophagy was inhibited obviously as a result of Beclin 1 knockdown. Besides, the decreased apoptosis of starved cells under hypoxia was reversed. Taken together, these results suggest that autophagy activated by hypoxia mediates the tolerance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to nutrient deprivation, and this tolerance is dependent on the activity of Beclin 1. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3406–3420, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sphingosine kinase 1/S1P pathway involvement in the GDNF‐induced GAP43 transcription
Authors: Murakami Masashi , Ito Hiromi , Hagiwara Kazumi , Kobayashi Misa , Hoshikawa Asuka , Takagi Akira , Kojima Tetsuhito , Tamiya‐Koizumi Keiko , Sobue Sayaka , Ichihara Masatoshi , Suzuki Motoshi , Banno Yoshiko , Nozawa Yoshinori , Murate Takashi
Published: July 2011

Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is important for the development and maintenance of dopamine neurons (Lin et al. [1993] Science 260: 1130–1132). GDNF is neuroprotective in animal models of Parkinson disease, where dopamine neurons show selective degeneration. We previously reported GDNF‐induced SPHK1 gene expression in a neuroblastoma cell line, TGW (Murakami et al. [2007] J Neurochem 102: 1585–1594). In the present study, we focused on the regulatory mechanism of GAP43 (GDNF‐induced neuronal phenotype) transcription to further elucidate physiological roles of GDNF‐induced SPHK1 expression and activity. Stable wild‐type (SPHK1‐WT) but not dominant‐negative SPHK1 (SPHK1‐DN) overexpression increased both control‐ and GDNF‐induced GAP43 expression. SPHK1‐WT cells showed enhanced GDNF‐induced sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) secretion compared with mock‐ and SPHK1‐DN cells. Exogenous S1P also increased GAP43 expression. In TGW cells, PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, but not SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) and LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) inhibited GDNF‐induced GAP43 expression, suggesting the MEK/ERK pathway has a major role in GDNF‐induced GAP43 transcription. A G‐protein‐coupled receptor inhibitor, pertussis toxin, and S1P1 and S1P3 receptor antagonists (VPC23019 and CAY10444) also inhibited ERK activation. Moreover, both S1P1 and S1P3 were serine‐phosphorylated by GDNF, suggesting their activated states. C/EBPβ transcription factor was induced by GDNF, and DNA pull‐down and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed the C/EBP binding site between −131 bp and −98 bp from the first exon of GAP43. Taken together, our results showed that in TGW cells, GDNF increased SPHK1 transcription, leading to the production and secretion of S1P. Through MEK/ERK pathway, S1P stimulates GAP43 transcription with increased binding of C/EBPβ to the 5′‐promoter. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3449–3458, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.