bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Facile [Hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene Mediated Synthesis of 2‐Arylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidines and Their Conversion into 3‐Bromo‐2‐arylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidines.
Authors: Aggarwal Ranjana , Sumran Garima
Published: March 2007

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Direct interaction of Gas11 with microtubules: Implications for the dynein regulatory complex
Authors: Bekker Janine M. , Colantonio Jessica R. , Stephens Andrew D. , Clarke W. Thomas , King Stephen J. , Hill Kent L. , Crosbie Rachelle H.
Published: March 2007

We previously described the Trypanin family of cytoskeleton‐associated proteins that have been implicated in dynein regulation [Hill et al., J Biol Chem2000; 275(50):39369–39378; Hutchings et al., J Cell Biol2002;156(5):867–877; Rupp and Porter, J Cell Biol2003;162(1):47–57]. Trypanin from T. brucei is part of an evolutionarily conserved dynein regulatory system that is required for regulation of flagellar beat. In C. reinhardtii, the trypanin homologue (PF2) is part of an axonemal ‘dynein regulatory complex’ (DRC) that functions as a reversible inhibitor of axonemal dynein [Piperno et al., J Cell Biol1992;118(6):1455–1463; Gardner et al., J Cell Biol1994;127(5):1311–1325]. The DRC consists of an estimated seven polypeptides that are tightly associated with axonemal microtubules. Association with the axoneme is critical for DRC function, but the mechanism by which it attaches to the microtubule lattice is completely unknown. We demonstrate that Gas11, the mammalian trypanin/PF2 homologue, associates with microtubules in vitro and in vivo. Deletion analyses identified a novel microtubule‐binding domain (GMAD) and a distinct region (IMAD) that attenuates Gas11‐microtubule interactions. Using single‐particle binding assays, we demonstrate that Gas11 directly binds microtubules and that the IMAD attenuates the interaction between GMAD and the microtubule. IMAD is able to function in either a cis‐ or trans‐orientation with GMAD. The discovery that Gas11 provides a direct linkage to microtubules provides new mechanistic insight into the structural features of the dynein‐regulatory complex. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measuring health‐related quality of life outcomes in bladder cancer patients using the Bladder Cancer Index (BCI)
Authors: Gilbert Scott M. , Wood David P. , Dunn Rodney L. , Weizer Alon Z. , Lee Cheryl T. , Montie James E. , Wei John T.
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been adequately measured in bladder cancer. A recently developed reliable and disease‐specific quality of life instrument (Bladder Cancer Index, BCI) was used to measure urinary, sexual, and bowel function and bother domains in patients with bladder cancer managed with several different interventions, including cystectomy and endoscopic‐based procedures.

METHODS.

Patients with bladder cancer were identified from a prospective bladder cancer outcomes database and contacted as part of an Institutional Review Board‐approved study to assess treatment impact on HRQOL. HRQOL was measured using the BCI across stratified treatment groups. Bivariate and multivariable analyses adjusted for age, gender, income, education, relationship status, and follow‐up time were performed to compare urinary, bowel, and sexual domains between treatment groups.

RESULTS.

In all, 315 bladder cancer patients treated at the University of Michigan completed the BCI in 2004. Significant differences were seen in mean BCI function and bother scores between cystectomy and native bladder treatment groups. In addition, urinary function scores were significantly lower among cystectomy patients treated with continent neobladder compared with those treated with ileal conduit (all pairwise P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS.

The BCI is responsive to functional and bother differences in patients with bladder cancer treated with different surgical approaches. Significant differences between therapy groups in each of the urinary, bowel, and sexual domains exist. Among patients treated with orthotopic continent urinary diversion, functional impairments related to urinary incontinence and lack of urinary control account for the low observed urinary function scores. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Expression patterns of the ATM gene in mammary tissues and their associations with breast cancer survival
Authors: Ye Chuanzhong , Cai Qiuyin , Dai Qi , Shu Xiao‐ou , Shin Aesun , Gao Yu‐Tang , Zheng Wei
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

The ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene plays a critical role in cell‐cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DNA repair. However, to date, no study has directly investigated the association between ATM gene expression and breast cancer survival.

METHODS.

ATM gene expression levels were evaluated in tumor and adjacent normal tissue from patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer or BBD using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assays. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association of ATM gene expression and survival in a cohort of 471 breast cancer patients.

RESULTS.

In breast cancer cases, ATM expression in cancer tissues was decreased by approximately 50% compared with adjacent normal tissues from the same patients. In BBD cases, the expression level of the ATM gene was similar in benign tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissues. No apparent difference was found in ATM gene expression levels in adjacent normal tissues obtained from cancer patients or BBD controls. Compared with patients with the lowest tertile of the ATM mRNA, patients in the upper 2 tertiles had more favorable disease‐free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.73 and HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.81, respectively) and overall survival (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35–0.92 and HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.43–1.13, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS.

The ATM gene expression was down‐regulated in breast cancer tissues and a high ATM gene expression level in breast cancer tissue was associated with a favorable prognosis. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
COPS3 amplification and clinical outcome in osteosarcoma
Authors: Yan Taiqiang , Wunder Jay S. , Gokgoz Nalan , Gill Mona , Eskandarian Sasha , Parkes Robert K. , Bull Shelley B. , Bell Robert S. , Andrulis Irene L.
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Amplification of several genes that map to a region of chromosome 17p11.2, including COPS3, was observed in high‐grade osteosarcoma. These genes were also shown to be overexpressed and may be involved in osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. COPS3 encodes a subunit of the COP9 signalosome implicated in the ubiquitination and ultimately degradation of the P53 tumor suppressor. To determine the relation between COPS3 amplification, P53 mutation, and patient outcome in osteosarcoma, tumors from a large cohort of patients with high‐grade osteosarcoma and long‐term clinical follow‐up were examined.

METHODS.

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect copy number changes for COPS3, as well as additional genes (NCOR1, TOM1L2, and PMP22) from the 17p11.2 amplicon, in 155 osteosarcomas from a prospective collection of tumors with corresponding clinical data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess differences in survival between groups.

RESULTS.

Amplification of COPS3, detected in 31% of the osteosarcomas, was strongly associated with large tumor size (P = .0009), but was not associated with age at diagnosis, site, sex, and tumor necrosis. COPS3 amplification was significantly correlated with a shorter time to metastasis with an estimated hazard ratio (HR) of 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.55) in univariate analysis (log‐rank test, P = .042). However, in an a priori multivariate Cox model including the other clinical parameters, the HR for COPS3 amplification decreased to 1.32 (95% CI, 0.82–2.13, P = .25), mainly due to the strong correlation with tumor size. COPS3 amplification and P53 mutation frequently occurred in the same tumors, suggesting that these are not mutually exclusive events in osteosarcoma. Although not statistically significant, patients whose tumors exhibited both molecular alterations tended to be more likely to develop metastasis compared with patients with either COPS3 amplification or P53 mutation alone.

CONCLUSIONS.

COPS3 is the likely target of the 17p11.2 amplicon. COPS3 may function as an oncogene in osteosarcoma, and an increased copy number may lead to an unfavorable prognosis. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Results of a Phase II trial of oral bexarotene (Targretin) combined with interferon alfa‐2b (Intron‐A) for patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Straus David J. , Duvic Madeleine , Kuzel Timothy , Horwitz Steven , Demierre Marie‐France , Myskowski Patricia , Steckel Steven
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Bexarotene is one of the most active single agents for the treatment of recurring or refractory cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Interferon alfa has also been used for many years as an effective treatment for this disease. The results in recent case reports of the combination of bexarotene and interferon alfa have been promising. Based on more extensive results reported with the combination of other retinoids with interferon alfa, the present study attempted to determine the response rate, response duration, and safety of bexarotene (Targretin capsules, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, Calif) alone and then with the addition of interferon alfa‐2b (Intron‐A, Schering‐Plough, Kenilworth, NJ).

METHODS.

Patients with biopsy‐proven CTCL, TNM stages IB, IIA, IIB‐IV, were treated with oral bexarotene 300 mg/m2/day for at least 8 weeks. If a complete response was not seen after 8 weeks, interferon alfa‐2b 3 million units (MU) subcutaneously was added, and increased to 5 MU if tolerated, 3 times a week.

RESULTS.

A total of 22 patients were enrolled at 5 sites, and 18 patients were assessable for response. Overall response rate for combined bexarotene and interferon alfa was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17%–64%), including 1 patient with a clinical complete response, 6 patients with partial response, 3 patients with stable disease, and 8 patients with progressive disease. Three partial responses were first noted during the bexarotene‐alone phase. Adverse events were generally manageable, and only 1 patient was withdrawn from study for hypertriglyceridemia.

CONCLUSIONS.

The addition of interferon alfa‐2b did not increase the response rate that would have been expected with bexarotene alone. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
The incidence and impact of thrombocytopenia in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop , Giles Francis , List Alan , Lyons Roger , Sekeres Mikkael A. , Pierce Sherry , Deuson Robert , Leveque Joseph
Published: March 2007

Thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction contribute to hemorrhagic complications in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Reliable data regarding the frequency and consequences of thrombocytopenia in MDS are lacking. An extensive literature review indicated that the prevalence of thrombocytopenia (platelets <100 × 109/L) in MDS ranged from 40% to 65%; the median frequency of thrombocytopenia prior to any MDS therapy was 65% (range, 23–93%). A retrospective review of patients who were referred to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) identified 1605 of 2410 patients (67%) with thrombocytopenia at referral. Of these, 1756 patients were classified using the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), and 896 patients (51%) had intermediate‐2 or high‐risk disease. Treatment‐related thrombocytopenia was observed in studies that involved azacitidine, tipifarnib, decitabine, lenalidomide, sirolimus, and combination chemotherapy with idarubicin, cytarabine, and topotecan. The reported incidence of hemorrhagic complications in the literature ranged from 3% to 53%, and the frequency of hemorrhagic deaths ranged from 14% to 24%. At MDACC, 460 patients had a coded cause of death: hemorrhage as a contributory cause of death, 20%; hemorrhage as the only cause of death, 10%. Thrombocytopenia was common in MDS, and there was an increased prevalence in higher risk IPSS categories. Many approved and investigational MDS therapies caused or exacerbated preexisting thrombocytopenia. The incidence of severe bleeding in MDS was greater than reported in current guidelines. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Hajdu Steven I.
Published: March 2007

Sarcomas have been diagnosed from ancient times, but the term sarcoma was used for benign as well as malignant tumors until the middle 1800s. The treatment for soft tissue sarcomas was surgery for 2000 years. In the 1970s, multimodality therapy and the TNM system for staging were introduced.
Phase II trial of irinotecan and cisplatin with early concurrent radiotherapy in limited‐disease small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Sohn Joo Hyuk , Moon Yong Wha , Lee Chang Geol , Kim Gwi Eon , Chung Kyung Young , Chang Joon , Kim Se Kyu , Kim Young Sam , Choi Byoung Wook , Choi Hye Jin , Kim Joo‐Hang
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

A Phase II trial of irinotecan and cisplatin (IP) with early concurrent radiotherapy was performed in limited‐disease small‐cell lung cancer (LD‐SCLC) to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity.

METHODS.

For untreated LD‐SCLC patients, irinotecan (60 mg/m2, Days 1, 8, and 15) and cisplatin (40 mg/m2, Days 1 and 8) were repeated every 4 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles. Thoracic radiotherapy of 1.8 Gy/day was begun on Day 1 of the second chemotherapy cycle, up to a total of 45 to 54 Gy. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (30 Gy in 10 fractions) was performed on patients with a complete response (CR).

RESULTS.

Thirty‐three LD‐SCLC patients were enrolled. The median age was 60 years and 31 patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1. Twelve (36.4%) patients had N3 disease. The response rate was 87.9%, with a CR rate of 45.5%. At a median follow‐up period of 27 months the median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 14.4 and 26.1 months, respectively, with 2‐year PFS and OS rates of 26.8% and 54.9%. The dominating toxicity was neutropenia, with grade 3–5 of 81.8%. The most common grade 3–5 nonhematologic toxicities were diarrhea (21.2%), anorexia (21.2%), and fatigue (21.2%). Grade 3–5 radiation esophagitis and pneumonitis occurred in 18.2% and 9.1% of patients, respectively. There were 2 treatment‐related deaths from sepsis and radiation pneumonitis.

CONCLUSIONS.

IP with early concurrent radiotherapy was effective and tolerable in untreated LD‐SCLC. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Development of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor subunits in avian auditory brainstem
Authors: Tang Ye‐Zhong , Carr Catherine E.
Published: March 2007

N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit‐specific probes were used to characterize developmental changes in the distribution of excitatory amino acid receptors in the chicken's auditory brainstem nuclei. Although NR1 subunit expression does not change greatly during the development of the cochlear nuclei in the chicken (Tang and Carr [2004] Hear. Res 191:79–89), there are significant developmental changes in NR2 subunit expression. We used in situ hybridization against NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, and NR2D to compare NR1 and NR2 expression during development. All five NMDA subunits were expressed in the auditory brainstem before embryonic day (E) 10, when electrical activity and synaptic responses appear in the nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and the nucleus laminaris (NL). At this time, the dominant form of the receptor appeared to contain NR1 and NR2B. NR2A appeared to replace NR2B by E14, a time that coincides with synaptic refinement and evoked auditory responses. NR2C did not change greatly during auditory development, whereas NR2D increased from E10 and remained at fairly high levels into adulthood. Thus changes in NMDA NR2 receptor subunits may contribute to the development of auditory brainstem responses in the chick. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:400–413, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organization of sensory neocortex in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)
Authors: Campi Katharine L. , Karlen Sarah J. , Bales Karen L. , Krubitzer Leah
Published: March 2007

In the current investigation, the functional organization of visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortex was examined in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) by using electrophysiological recording techniques. Functional boundaries of cortical fields were directly related to myeloarchitectonic boundaries. Our results demonstrated that most of the neocortex is occupied by the visual, auditory, and somatosensory areas. Specifically, a small area 17, or primary visual area (V1), was located on the caudomedial pole of the neocortex; a large auditory cortex (AC), which contains the primary auditory area (A1) and other auditory fields, encompassed almost the entire temporal pole; and a large area 3b, or primary somatosensory area (S1), contained a complete representation of the contralateral body surface. Furthermore, these areas were coextensive with distinct myeloarchitectonic appearances. We also observed that the AC appeared to be disproportionately large in the prairie vole compared with other rodents. In addition, we found that both primary and nonprimary areas contained neurons that responded to auditory stimulation. Finally, we observed within S1 a disproportionate amount of cortex that was devoted to representing the perioral hairs and the snout and also that neurons within this representation had very small receptive fields. We discuss the expanded auditory domain and the enlarged representation of perioral hairs as they relate to the specialized life style of the prairie vole. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:414–426, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Odorants with multiple oxygen‐containing functional groups and other odorants with high water solubility preferentially activate posterior olfactory bulb glomeruli
Authors: Johnson Brett A. , Arguello Spart , Leon Michael
Published: March 2007

In past studies in which we mapped 2‐deoxyglucose uptake evoked by systematically different odorant chemicals across the entire rat olfactory bulb, glomerular responses could be related to each odorant's particular oxygen‐containing functional group. In the present study we tested whether aliphatic odorants containing two such functional groups (esters, ketones, acids, alcohols, and ethers) would stimulate the combination of glomerular regions that are associated with each of the functional groups separately, or whether they would evoke unique responses in different regions of the bulb. We found that these very highly water‐soluble molecules rarely evoked activity in the regions responding to the individual functional groups; instead, they activated posterior glomeruli located about halfway between the dorsal and ventral extremes in both the lateral and the medial aspects of the bulb. Additional highly water‐soluble odorants, including very small molecules with single oxygenic groups, also strongly stimulated these posterior regions, resulting in a statistically significant correlation between posterior 2‐deoxyglucose uptake and molecular properties associated with water solubility. By showing that highly water‐soluble odorants stimulate a part of the bulb associated with peripheral and ventral regions of the epithelium, our results challenge a prevalent notion that such odorants would activate class I odorant receptors located in zone 1 of the olfactory epithelium, which projects to the dorsal aspect of the bulb. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:468–482, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonintegrin laminin receptor precursor protein is expressed on olfactory stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Jang Woochan , Kim Kwang Pyo , Schwob James E.
Published: March 2007

The biochemical identification and immunocytochemical characterization of a cell surface antigen, expressed on globose basal cells (GBCs) of the rodent olfactory epithelium (OE), are described. The monoclonal antibody (MAb) GBC‐3 recognizes a surface protein, confirmed by both live cell staining and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. Two‐dimensional SDS‐PAGE/Western blot followed by tandem mass spectrometry demonstrates that the cell surface GBC‐3 antigen is the 40 kDa laminin receptor precursor protein. The MAb GBC‐3 labels the vast majority of cells among the GBC population and does not stain either sustentacular cells or horizontal basal cells (HBCs) in the normal rat OE. After epithelial lesion by exposure to methyl bromide, the remaining cells, which are mostly GBCs, are heavily stained by GBC‐3, and colabeled with GBC‐3 and sustentacular cell or HBC markers. GBC‐3 will be a potentially useful tool for identifying and characterizing GBCs. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:367–381, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐Range Self‐Governing Motion of Polymer Gel on a Gradiently Charged Insulating Substrate
Authors: Liang Songmiao , Xu Jian , Weng Lihui , Zhang Lina , Guo Xinglin , Zhang Xiaoli
Published: March 2007

Herein, we report a special poly(vinyl alcohol)/dimethylsulfoxide (PVA/DMSO) gel electromechanical system with great self‐governed capability. The system is operated in air by applying a noncontacted DC electric field. When the applied electric field exceeds a certain critical value, the gel exhibits fast and self‐governing locomotion on the gradiently charged glass substrate. In contrast to field‐controlled gel systems developed earlier, the crawling direction of the gel is independent of the direction of the applied electric field and can be actively controlled. The maximum crawling velocity can reach 3.22 mm s−1, which is much larger than that of the actuators described earlier. Furthermore, some factors that influence the critical driving electric field and the average crawling speed of the gel were studied. The mechanism analysis indicates that, the self‐governing linear motion of the gel is due to the spatially and temporally varying electrostatic interaction between the gel and the applied electric field in response to the gradient change of the charge density and the charge polarity on the substrate.
Postplasmic/PEM RNAs: A class of localized maternal mRNAs with multiple roles in cell polarity and development in ascidian embryos
Authors: Prodon François , Yamada Lixy , Shirae‐Kurabayashi Maki , Nakamura Yoriko , Sasakura Yasunori
Published: March 2007

Ascidian is a good model to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for mRNA localization with the discovery of a large family of localized maternal mRNAs, called postplasmic/PEM RNAs, which includes more than 40 members in three different ascidian species (Halocynthia roretzi, Ciona intestinalis, and C. savignyi). Among these mRNAs, two types (Type I and Type II) have been identified and show two different localization patterns from fertilization to the eight‐cell stage. At the eight‐cell stage, both types concentrate to a macromolecular cortical structure called CAB (for Centrosome Attracting Body) in the posterior‐vegetal B4.1 blastomeres. The CAB is responsible for unequal cleavages and the partitioning of postplasmic/PEM RNAs at the posterior pole of embryos during cleavage stages. It has also been suggested that the CAB region could contain putative germ granules. In this review, we discuss recent data obtained on the distribution of Type I postplasmic/PEM RNAs from oogenesis to late development, in relation to their localization and translational control. We have first regrouped localization patterns for Type I and Type II into a comparative diagram and included all important definitions in the field. We also have made an exhaustive classification of their embryonic expression profiles (Type I or Type II), and analyzed their functions after knockdown and/or overexpression experiments and the role of the 3′‐untranslated region (3′UTR) controlling both their localization and translation. Finally, we propose a speculative model integrating recent data, and we also discuss the relationship between postplasmic/PEM RNAs, posterior specification, and germ cell formation in ascidians. Developmental Dynamics 236:1698–1715, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Projecting 2D gene expression data into 3D and 4D space
Authors: Gerth Victor E. , Katsuyama Kaori , Snyder Kevin A. , Bowes Jeff B. , Kitayama Atsushi , Ueno Naoto , Vize Peter D.
Published: March 2007

Video games typically generate virtual 3D objects by texture mapping an image onto a 3D polygonal frame. The feeling of movement is then achieved by mathematically simulating camera movement relative to the polygonal frame. We have built customized scripts that adapt video game authoring software to texture mapping images of gene expression data onto b‐spline based embryo models. This approach, known as UV mapping, associates two‐dimensional (U and V) coordinates within images to the three dimensions (X, Y, and Z) of a b‐spline model. B‐spline model frameworks were built either from confocal data or de novo extracted from 2D images, once again using video game authoring approaches. This system was then used to build 3D models of 182 genes expressed in developing Xenopus embryos and to implement these in a web‐accessible database. Models can be viewed via simple Internet browsers and utilize openGL hardware acceleration via a Shockwave plugin. Not only does this database display static data in a dynamic and scalable manner, the UV mapping system also serves as a method to align different images to a common framework, an approach that may make high‐throughput automated comparisons of gene expression patterns possible. Finally, video game systems also have elegant methods for handling movement, allowing biomechanical algorithms to drive the animation of models. With further development, these biomechanical techniques offer practical methods for generating virtual embryos that recapitulate morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 236:1036–1043, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative study on the stability of crude and refined rice bran oil during long‐term storage at room temperature
Authors: Mezouari Samia , Eichner Karl
Published: March 2007

The effect of the full refining process on the stability of rice bran oil during storage at room temperature was studied. Crude and refined rice bran oil were kept in the dark and were exposed to light for 240 days, and every 10 days samples were drawn and analysed. The storage stability of crude and fully refined rice bran oil was determined and compared with respect to fatty acid composition, tocopherols, tocotrienols, sterols and γ‐oryzanol content. In addition, the oxidative status was evaluated by determining the concentration of polar compounds and the oil stability index (OSI). A good correlation between the decrease of total tocopherols and the OSI was found. α‐Tocopherol had the highest correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.9653) in crude rice bran oil kept in the dark, and γ‐tocopherol showed the lowest in the refined sample (r2 = 0.4722). The order of stability of tocopherols and tocotrienols in crude oil was completely different from that in refined oil. In comparison to tocopherols, sterols showed a better stability during the entire storage period. The exposure to daylight heavily affected the composition and the stability of both crude and refined rice bran oil.
Alternate oils in fish feeds
Authors: Pickova Jana , Mørkøre Turid
Published: March 2007

Nearly half of the fish consumed as food worldwide are raised on fish farms rather than caught in the wild, as shown by FAO statistics. The increasing aquaculture of predatory carnivorous fish demands new sources of feed constituents, particularly oils at the moment. Common terrestrial plant oils contain only traces of the long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In connection with fish feed, especially the lack of n‐3 “marine fatty acids” is obvious. Recommendations on the required amounts of the fatty acids DHA (22:6n‐3) and EPA (20:5n‐3) exist from 1994. When plant oil‐based diets are fed during the growing phase and replaced by a fish oil‐based diet during a period prior to slaughter, most of the beneficial lipid composition of fish in terms of human dietary recommendations is restored. Little attention has been focused on the fish welfare in connection to substitution of dietary oil sources, and studies are still scarce. New fish diets will rely heavily on the use of alternate ingredients such as plant oils also for carnivorous cold‐temperate water fish species. In the future, an addition of synthetic or GMO‐produced “marine” fatty acids is a possible scenario. The aim of this review is to highlight some plant oils used in fish feeds, with special emphasis on compounds other than fatty acids. We also include some results from an ongoing study, where the effect of dietary soy oil on gonad maturation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is indicated.
The effect of polymers and surfactants on the pour point of palm oil methyl esters
Authors: Sern Cheah Han , May Choo Yuen , Zakaria Zuriati , Daik Rusli , Foon Cheng Sit
Published: March 2007

The objective of this research was to find some additives suitable to reduce the pour point (PP) of palm oil methyl esters. The PP properties of palm oil methyl esters (biodiesel) were evaluated with commercially available polymeric and surfactant compounds with various polarities, molecular sizes and structures. The compounds under study were poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate), poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride), poly(ethylene glycol) distearate, poly‐(octadecyl methacrylate), poly(1‐decene), poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐1‐octadecene), caprylic acid sodium salt, N‐lauroylsarcosine sodium salt, polyoxyethylene(2) cetyl ether and polyoxyethylene(10) cetyl ether. Seven out of the twelve polymeric compounds tested were miscible in palm oil methyl esters due to similar polarities of the solute and biodiesel. The blends of the resultant seven polymeric compounds in palm oil methyl esters were evaluated respectively for their effect on the PP property. Poly‐(maleic anhydride‐alt‐1‐octadecene) was able to improve the PP of palm oil methyl esters from 12 to 6 °C when 2 wt‐% was added. The cloud point was reduced from 12.9 to 8.1 °C, and the cold filter plugging point was reduced from 12 to 7 °C, whilst the flash point value remained unchanged at 156 °C when 2 wt‐% of poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐1‐octadecene) was added to the palm oil methyl esters.
Zeolite‐catalyzed isomerization of oleic acid to branched‐chain isomers
Authors: Ngo Helen L. , Nuñez Alberto , Lin Wenbin , Foglia Thomas A.
Published: March 2007

Branched‐chain (bc) saturated fatty acids (SFA) have potential as oleochemical intermediates since they have better oxidative stability than linear unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and have better low‐temperature properties than linear SFA. Previous studies in converting UFA to bc‐FA using clay catalysts have resulted in only modest yields and conversions. Recent reports, however, have suggested that certain zeolites can be effective catalysts for converting UFA to bc‐FA in higher yields and conversions. In this work, we examined the scope and potential of the zeolite‐catalyzed synthesis of bc‐FA starting from readily available monounsaturated linear FA. Our results show that common UFA such as oleic acid can be converted to bc‐isomers using modified Ferrierite zeolite catalysts with high conversions (98%) and high selectivity (85%) and that the zeolite catalysts are reusable for at least three cycles. The positions of branching (methyl) on the FA chain were determined from the GC‐MS spectra of the picolinyl esters of the bc‐FA.
Analytical characteristics of crude and refined palm oil and fractions
Authors: Gee Ping Tou
Published: March 2007

Palm oil provides significantly higher amounts of oil/ha than any other commercial oil crop. Palm oil can be physically refined and fractionated into various fractions, ranging from very hard palm stearin with iodine values below 10 to palm superolein with iodine values as high as 72. Palm mid fractions consisting of symmetrical triacylglycerols provide sharp‐melting fats for niche applications. The wide range of palm oil fractions provides versatility for different food applications, with the additional advantage that natural palm oil is trans free and genetic modification free. Palm oil and its fractions are widely used for direct blending with other oils or are interesterified with other oils to meet the trans‐free fat requirements of the food industry. The sn‐2 position of palm oil triacylglycerols is mainly esterified with oleic and linoleic acid. This provides better bioavailability of oleic acid as monounsaturated fatty acid and linoleic acid as an essential fatty acid, as compared to oils or fats with similar composition but with randomized fatty acid distribution. Crude palm oil also contains highly valuable minor components, including carotenoids and tocotrienols, which are potent fat‐soluble antioxidants. Recent research findings on potential chemo‐preventive and chemotherapeutic roles of tocotrienols are extremely encouraging.
Semipermanent capillary coatings in mixed organic–water solvents for CE
Authors: Diress Abebaw G. , Yassine Mahmoud M. , Lucy Charles A.
Published: March 2007

This report describes the creation of semipermanent capillary coatings that are compatible with organic–water solvent systems in CE. The coatings are created by simply rinsing the fused‐silica capillary with long double‐chain cationic surfactants, such as dimethyl‐ditetradecyl ammonium bromide (2C14DAB), dihexadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (2C16DAB), and dimethyldioctadecyl ammonium bromide (2C18DAB). These surfactants generate semipermanent bilayer coatings on the capillary surface, which display a high degree of stability in buffers containing up to 60% v/v of organic solvents, such as methanol and ACN. The coating stability increases with increasing hydrophobicity of the surfactant, i.e., with increasing chain length. For instance, the EOF changes by only 1.2% in a 2C18DAB‐coated capillary after 130 capillary volumes of rinsing with 60% v/v methanol containing buffer. The bilayer coatings allow separations to be performed without the need to regenerate the coating between runs or to maintain the EOF modifier in the run buffer. Rapid separations (<2 min) of anions and basic drugs with migration time reproducibility of less than 0.5% RSD and efficiencies of 0.4–0.6 million plates/m are obtained. In addition, selectivity changes for small anions and cationic drugs are also observed when the organic solvent content is adjusted.
Short‐column CE coupled with inductively coupled plasma MS for high‐throughput speciation analysis of chromium
Authors: Li Bao‐Hui , Yan Xiu‐Ping
Published: March 2007

A method was developed for high‐throughput speciation analysis of chromium by on‐line coupling of short‐column capillary electrophoresis (SC‐CE) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Baseline separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was achieved within 1 min by SC‐CE in a 15 cm×75 μm id fused‐silica capillary at 6 kV using 15 mM HNO3 as running electrolyte. The precisions (RSD, n = 5) of migration time and peak area for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were in the range of 1.8–2.4% and 2.2–5.7%, respectively. The limits of detection (3σ) of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were 1.8 and 1.9 μg/L, respectively. The synthesized samples containing Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species were determined by the developed SC‐CE‐ICP‐MS hyphenated technique, and the recoveries of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the synthesized samples were in the range of 103–110% and 90–108%, respectively.
On‐line preparation of microsamples prior to CE
Authors: Capote Feliciano Priego , de Castro María Dolores Luque
Published: March 2007

An experimental setup is presented here for the automated analysis of microsamples, based on the on‐line coupling of a capillary SPE module and a CE unit using a two‐position six‐port valve, an open–closed valve to isolate electrically the sample preparation from the CE unit and a “T” interface. A C18 trapping microcolumn (dimensions 2.5 cm×100 μm id×360 μm od) was used for the SPE step. The utility of the proposed experimental setup was demonstrated by applying it to the determination of quinolone antibiotics in serum microsamples, which was efficiently carried out in less than 20 min (4 min for protein denaturation and 15 min for analytes preconcentration and CE‐UV separation‐determination). A complete optimization study was performed for preconcentration and cleanup of quinolones, the coupling of sample preparation module to the CE unit and electrophoretic separation of quinolones. A preconcentration factor of 10.4 was achieved. The volume injected with the proposed method was 125 nL versus 160 nL introduced by hydrodynamic injection. The volume required for the analysis was 2 μL, which makes the proposed experimental setup very useful for the analysis of microsamples in fields of current interest such as metabolomics or proteomics.
Carbon nanotube detectors for microchip CE: Comparative study of single‐wall and multiwall carbon nanotube, and graphite powder films on glassy carbon, gold, and platinum electrode surfaces
Authors: Pumera Martin , Merkoçi Arben , Alegret Salvador
Published: March 2007

The performance of microchip electrophoresis/electrochemistry system with carbon nanotube (CNT) film electrodes was studied. Electrocatalytic activities of different carbon materials (single‐wall CNT (SWCNT), multiwall CNT (MWCNT), carbon powder) cast on different electrode substrates (glassy carbon (GC), gold, and platinum) were compared in a microfluidic setup and their performance as microchip electrochemical detectors was assessed. An MWCNT film on a GC electrode shows electrocatalytic effect toward oxidation of dopamine (E1/2 shift of 0.09 V) and catechol (E1/2 shift of 0.19 V) when compared to a bare GC electrode, while other CNT/carbon powder films on the GC electrode display negligible effects. Modification of a gold electrode by graphite powder results in a strong electrocatalytic effect toward oxidation of dopamine and catechol (E1/2 shift of 0.14 and 0.11 V, respectively). A significant shift of the half‐wave potentials to lower values also provide the MWCNT film (E1/2 shift of 0.08 and 0.08 V for dopamine and catechol, respectively) and the SWCNT film (E1/2 shift of 0.10 V for catechol) when compared to a bare gold electrode. A microfluidic device with a CNT film‐modified detection electrode displays greatly improved separation resolution (Rs) by a factor of two compared to a bare electrode, reflecting the electrocatalytic activity of CNT.
Elevated frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in infants exposed to zidovudine in utero and postpartum to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV
Authors: Witt Kristine L. , Cunningham Coleen K. , Patterson Kristine B. , Kissling Grace E. , Dertinger Stephen D. , Livingston Elizabeth , Bishop Jack B.
Published: March 2007

Zidovudine‐based antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) for treatment of HIV‐infected pregnant women have markedly reduced mother‐to‐child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1) from ∼25% to <1%. However, zidovudine (ZDV; AZT), a nucleoside analogue, induces chromosomal damage, gene mutations, and cancer in animals following direct or transplacental exposure. To determine if chromosomal damage is induced by ZDV in infants exposed transplacentally, we evaluated micronucleated reticulocyte frequencies (%MN‐RET) in 16 HIV‐infected ART‐treated mother–infant pairs. Thirteen women received prenatal ART containing ZDV; three received ART without ZDV. All infants received ZDV for 6 weeks postpartum. Venous blood was obtained from women at delivery and from infants at 1–3 days, 4–6 weeks, and 4–6 months of life; cord blood was collected immediately after delivery. Ten cord blood samples (controls) were obtained from infants of HIV‐uninfected women who did not receive ART. %MN‐RET was measured using a single laser 3‐color flow cytometric system. Tenfold increases in %MN‐RET were seen in women and infants who received ZDV‐containing ART prenatally; no increases were detected in three women and infants who received prenatal ART without ZDV. Specifically, mean %MN‐RET in cord blood of ZDV‐exposed infants was 1.67 ± 0.34 compared with 0.16 ± 0.06 in non‐ZDV ART‐exposed infants (P = 0.006) and 0.12 ± 0.02 in control cord bloods (P < 0.0001). %MN‐RET in ZDV‐exposed newborns decreased over the first 6 months of life to levels comparable to cord blood controls. These results demonstrate that transplacentalZDV exposure is genotoxic in humans. Long‐term monitoring of HIV‐uninfected ZDV‐exposed infants isrecommended to ensure their continued health. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotoxicity assessed by the comet and GPA assays following in vitro exposure of human lymphoblastoid cells (H9) or perinatal exposure of mother–child pairs to AZT or AZT‐3TC
Authors: Escobar Patricia A. , Olivero Ofelia A. , Wade Nancy A. , Abrams Elaine J. , Nesel Carol J. , Ness Roberta B. , Day Richard D. , Day Billy W. , Meng Quanxin , O'Neill J. Patrick , Walker Dale M. , Poirier Miriam C. , Walker Vernon E. , Bigbee William L. ,   for the Study Team
Published: March 2007

The genotoxicity of zidovudine (AZT) based treatments was investigated in human H9 lymphoblastoid cells in an in vitro study and in red blood cells (RBCs) from perinatally exposed HIV‐1‐infected mothers and their infants in an observational cohort study. Exposure of H9 cells for 24 hr to AZT produced dose‐dependent increases in Comet assay tail moment (TM) when electrophoresed at pH 13.0, but not at pH 12.1 or pH 8.0, suggesting that DNA damage was via alkali‐labile lesions and not double‐stranded DNA strand breaks. The TM dose response at pH 13.0 correlated directly with AZT‐DNA incorporation determined by AZT‐radioimmunoassay. Levels of DNA damage in utero, measured by Comet assay TM, were similar in cord blood mononuclear cells of nucleoside analog‐exposed newborns (n = 43) and unexposed controls (n = 40). In contrast, the glycophorin A (GPA) somatic cell mutation assay (which screens for large‐scale DNA damage in RBCs) showed clear evidence that GPA N/N variants, arising from chromosome loss and duplication, somatic recombination, and gene conversion, were significantly elevated in mother–child pairs receiving prepartum AZT plus lamivudine (3TC). Cord blood from newborns exposed to AZT‐3TC had GPA N/N variant frequencies of 4.7 ± 0.7 (mean ± SE) × 10−6 RBCs (n = 26 infants) compared with 2.2 ± 0.3 × 10−6 RBCs for unexposed controls (n = 30 infants; P < 0.001). Elevations in GPA N/N variants generally persisted through 1 year of age in nucleoside analog‐exposed children. Overall, the mutagenic effects found in mother–child pairs receiving AZT‐based treatments justify their surveillance for long‐term genotoxic consequences. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transplacental carcinogenicity of 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine in B6C3F1 mice and F344 rats
Authors: Walker Dale M. , Malarkey David E. , Seilkop Steven K. , Ruecker Frederick A. , Funk Kathleen A. , Wolfe Marilyn J. , Treanor Christopher P. , Foley Julie F. , Hahn Fletcher F. , Hardisty Jerry F. , Walker Vernon E.
Published: March 2007

The prophylactic use of zidovudine (3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine, AZT) during pregnancy greatly reduces transmission of HIV‐1 from infected mothers to their infants; however, the affinity of host cell DNA polymerases for AZT also allows for its incorporation into host cell DNA, predisposing to cancer development. To expand upon previous transplacental carcinogenesis assays performed in CD‐1 mice, the transplacental carcinogenicity of AZT was evaluated in a second mouse strain and a second rodent species. Date‐mated female mice and rats were gavaged daily with 0, 80, 240, or 480 mg AZT/kg bw during the last 7 days of gestation. At 2 years postpartum, male and female B6C3F1 mouse and F344 rat offspring (n = 44–46 of each sex and species/treatment group) were necropsied for gross and microscopic tissue examinations. Under the conditions of these two‐year studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity based upon significant dose‐related trends and increases in the incidences of hemangiosarcoma in male mice and mononuclear cell leukemia in female rats. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity in the livers of male mice based upon a positive trend and an increased incidence of hepatic carcinoma in the high‐dose AZT group. The incidence of gliomas in female rats exceeded the historical background rates for gliomas in F344 rats. P53 overexpression was detected in some AZT‐treated mouse neoplasms. These and other cancer‐related findings confirm and extend those of previous transplacental carcinogenicity studies of AZT in mice, support the need for long‐term follow‐up of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)‐exposed children, and indicate the necessity for effective protective strategies against NRTI‐induced side effects. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic response of the KII building to the San Fernando earthquake
Authors: Muto Kiyoshi
Published: March 2007

The KII Building was subjected to the San Fernando earthquake on 9 February 1971 without suffering any damage. During the earthquake, strong motion accelerations were recorded at the base, middle and top of the building.

The simulation analysis of the building was carried out taking into account the interaction between the building and the soil. The internal viscous damping theory considering the different damping coefficients for the building and the soil was adopted.

Comparison of the calculated and observed acceleration time histories as well as the floor response spectra showed satisfactory agreement. On the basis of the response spectrum values, the fact that no damage was observed in this building is justified theoretically.
Response of offshore towers to strong motion earthquakes
Authors: Penzien J. , Kaul M. K.
Published: March 2007

Presented is a stochastic method of analysis of offshore towers subjected to strong motion earthquakes. A zero mean ergodic Gaussian process of finite duration is used to characterize horizontal ground acceleration and full fluid structure interaction effects are included. Numerical results for four representative deep water towers having heights of 475, 675, 875 and 1075 ft are compared with corresponding results obtained by the response spectrum method of analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on the maximum or extreme values of total transverse shear and total overturning moment. Comparisons are made with code values and the role of ductility is briefly discussed.