bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Synthesis of (1E,3E)‐2‐ Sulfonyl‐1,3‐dienes from N‐Propargylic Sulfonohydrazones
Authors: Zhu Yu , Tang Hai‐Tao , Zhan Zhuang‐Ping
Published: May 2013

A new method for the stereoselective synthesis of highly substituted (1E,3E)‐2‐sulfonyl‐1,3‐dienes from N‐propargylic sulfonohydrazone derivatives has been developed via copper(I)‐catalyzed [3,3] rearrangement and highly regioselective migration of the sulfonyl group.
Controlled degradation of polylactic acid grafting N‐vinyl pyrrolidone induced by gamma ray radiation
Authors: Peng Chaorong , Chen Hao , Wang Jingxia , Chen Zhuping , Ni Maojun , Chen Yuheng , Zhang Jing , Yuan Tun
Published: May 2013

Polylactic acid (PLA) films were surface modified by gamma ray irradiation‐induced grafting of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP). The in vitro degradation behavior of polylactic acid grafting N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (PLA‐g‐PVP) copolymer was analyzed in terms of weight loss, molecular weight, and thermal properties. Grafting NVP significantly accelerated the degradation of PLA. The mass losses of the copolymers, which were less than that of pure PLA at the beginning of the degradation period, sharply accelerated with increasing degradation time. Moreover, the crystallization temperature decreased with increasing degradation time in the same graft ratio, and the degree of crystallinity increased. Cytotoxicity experiments and animal experiments in vivo were carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility of PLA‐g‐PVP copolymer. Varying graft ratios of PVP could control the degradation rate of copolymers, and thus broadening the applications of this material, such as in tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery, and prevention of postsurgical adhesion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Alginate hydrogel sphere improves the alkali and heat resistances of isothiazolinones with long‐term antibacterial activity
Authors: Ma Dong , Cai Xiang , Lin Qianming , Zhang Jinglin , Mai Wenjie , Tan Shaozao , Xue Wei , Wu Ting
Published: May 2013

To improve the alkali and heat resistances of Cl+Me‐isothiazolinone (MCI/MI), a calcium alginate (CA) hydrogel sphere was used as the carrier for MCI/MI, and an MCI/MI/CA hydrogel sphere was prepared. Then, the release properties, alkali‐resistance and heat‐resistance properties, long‐term antibacterial performance, and cytotoxicity of this novel hydrogel sphere were investigated. The results show that the CA hydrogel sphere released MCI/MI in a sustained manner with long‐term antibacterial activity. Moreover, the CA hydrogel sphere improved the alkali and heat resistances of the MCI/MI. More importantly, this hydrogel sphere showed a slight cytotoxicity, which suggested that the MCI/MI/CA hydrogel sphere would be an easily added antibacterial hydrogel sphere for a wide range of products. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1554–1561, 2013
Novel electrospun nanofibers incorporating polymeric prodrugs of ketoprofen: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro sustained release
Authors: Quan Jing , Wu Chengyao , Williams Gareth R. , Branford‐White Christopher J. , Nie Huali , Zhu Limin
Published: May 2013

A facile and efficient protocol for the preparation of nanofibers incorporating polymeric ketoprofen prodrugs and polyvinylpyrrolidone was developed. Polymeric ketoprofen prodrugs were constructed by a two‐step chemo‐enzymatic synthetic route, and nanofibers prepared by electrospinning from dimethylformamide/ethanol (1 : 1, v/v) solutions. The morphological characteristics of the fibers were influenced by the concentration of active agent in the spinning solution; average diameters varied from 196 to 370 nm. In vitro release studies indicated that the ketoprofen release rate from the electrospun fibers was significantly higher than that from the pure polymeric prodrugs. Cumulative drug release from the electrospun fibers reached 40–70% after 3 h and 75–100% after 12 h, while the pure polymeric prodrug released only 7–9% of the active agent over 12 h. Functional nanofibers incorporating polymeric prodrugs therefore comprise potentially effective drug delivery systems for sustained release. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1570–1577, 2013
Development of cardanol‐bonded cellulose thermoplastics: High productivity achieved by using isocyanate‐modified cardanol
Authors: Tanaka Shukichi , Honzawa Hideki , Iji Masatoshi
Published: May 2013

A highly efficient process of synthesizing a cardanol‐bonded cellulose thermoplastic has been developed by using isocyanate‐modified cardanol. As recently shown by us, the thermoplastic consisting of cellulose diacetate (CDA) and cardanol extracted from cashew nutshells performed high practical properties such as bending strength, heat resistance and water resistance. However, its synthesis process by esterification using acid chlorides of cardanol in a solvent as a common procedure, required high energy consumption by using a large amount of poor solvent to isolate the resulting product from the solvent. Using an isocyanate‐modified cardanol, 3‐pentadecylcyclohexyl (6‐isocyanatohexyl) carbamate (PICC) greatly improved the productivity of the modified cardanol‐bonded CDA (PICC‐bonded CDA). After bonding PICC to CDA in a solvent, the remaining PICC coagulated and was easily removed by filtration, which resulted in remarkably simplifying the separation process of the product. The resulting PICC‐bonded CDA showed insufficient thermoplasticity due to its high interaction between PICC parts. Additional bonding propionyl group improved the thermoplasticity while maintaining good thermal and mechanical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1578–1587, 2013
Castor oil and sorbitan monopalmitate based organogel as a probable matrix for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Singh Vinay K. , Pal Kunal , Pradhan Dillip K. , Pramanik Krishna
Published: May 2013

The study has been designed to develop and evaluate the in vitro sustained‐release capability of sorbitan monopalmitate (SMP) and castor oil (CO) based organogels. Organogels were prepared by heating the mixture of SMP‐CO at 60°C either with or without using distilled water (DW). The heated mixture was subsequently cooled to room‐temperature to allow the formation of a gelled structure. Characterization of organogels was carried out by microscopy (light, fluorescent, electron, and atomic force), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheological study, pH, impedance spectroscopy, hemocompatibility, and antimicrobial studies. The properties and stability of the gels was dependent on the composition of the organogels. FTIR studies indicated the presence of strong intramolecular/intermolecular hydrogen bonding amongst the gel components. XRD studies suggested amorphous behavior of the gels. The gels showed a shear thinning behavior. Metronidazole (MZ) loaded gels showed good antimicrobial property to be used as an antimicrobial formulation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1503–1515, 2013
AMINO ACID DEPRIVATION‐INDUCED EXPRESSION OF ASPARAGINE SYNTHETASE REGULATES THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF CULTURED SILKWORM CELLS
Authors: Li Zhiqing , Zhu Li , Xu Jian , Mon Hiroaki , Lee Jae Man , Kusakabe Takahiro
Published: May 2013

Expression of Bombyx mori Asparagine synthetase (BmASNS), one gene that encodes an enzyme catalyzing asparagine biosynthesis, is transcriptionally induced following amino acid deprivation. Previous transcriptional analysis of the BmASNS gene showed the involvement of Polycomb proteins, epigenetic repressors, in suppressing BmASNS expression in a cell cycle‐dependent manner. However, the role of BmAsns protein in these cellular processes remains unclear. The present study thus exploited the potential function of BmAsns protein in cultured silkworm cells. Our results showed that ectopic overexpression of BmASNS gene effectively inhibited cell growth in silkworm cells, whereas its overexpression could rescue cell growth upon amino acid deprivation treatment. We found that the cells expressing BmAsns protein were capable of influencing the formation of autophagic vacuoles stimulated by amino acid deprivation. We speculated that the recovery of cell growth by overexpressed BmAsns protein is due to the rapid turnover of autophagic vacuoles in the cells. To further assess the effects of BmAsns on cell development, we used RNA interference to silence BmASNS expression in silkworm cells in the presence or absence of amino acids. Our results revealed a significant change of cell proliferation as well as cell cycle distribution after knockdown of BmASNS. Importantly, silkworm cells lacking BmASNS under the condition of amino acid deprivation showed severely impaired proliferation. Altogether, we concluded that the up‐regulated expression of BmASNS would be able to protect cells from impairment induced by amino acid deprivation, which in turn facilitates cell growth and survival.
Non‐invasive in situ monitoring and quantification of TOL plasmid segregational loss within Pseudomonas putida biofilms
Authors: Ma Hongyan , Katzenmeyer Kristy N. , Bryers James D.
Published: May 2013

Methods for the detection of plasmid loss in natural environments have typically relied on replica plating, selective markers and PCR. However, these traditional methods have the limitations of low sensitivity, underestimation of specific cell populations, and lack of insightful data for non‐homogeneous environments. We have developed a non‐invasive microscopic analytical method to quantify local plasmid segregational loss from a bacterial population within a developing biofilm. The probability of plasmid segregational loss in planktonic and biofilm cultures of Pseudomonas putida carrying the TOL plasmid (pWWO::gfpmut3b) was determined directly in situ, in the absence of any applied selection pressure. Compared to suspended liquid culture, we report that the biofilm mode of growth enhances plasmid segregational loss. Results based on a biofilm‐averaged analysis reveal that the probability of plasmid loss in biofilm cultures (0.016 ± 0.004) was significantly greater than that determined in planktonic cultures (0.0052 ± 0.0011). Non‐invasive assessments showed that probabilities of plasmid segregational loss at different locations in a biofilm increased dramatically from 0.1% at the substratum surface to 8% at outside layers of biofilm. Results suggest that higher nutrient concentrations and subsequentially higher growth rates resulted in higher probability of plasmid segregational loss at the outer layers of the biofilm. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2949–2958. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of language task demands on the neural response during lexical access: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Gan Gabriela , Büchel Christian , Isel Frédéric
Published: May 2013

This study examined the effects of linguistic task demands on the neuroanatomical localization of the neural response related to automatic semantic processing of concrete German nouns combining the associative priming paradigm with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). To clarify the functional role of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) for semantic processing with respect to semantic decision making compared to semantic processing per se, we used a linguistic task that involved either a binary decision process (i.e., semantic categorization; Experiment 1) or not (i.e., silently thinking about a word's meaning; Experiment 2). We observed associative priming effects indicated as neural suppression in bilateral superior temporal gyri (STG), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), occipito‐temporal brain areas, and in medial frontal brain areas independently of the linguistic task. Inferior parietal brain areas were more active for silently thinking about a word's meaning compared to semantic categorization. A conjunction analysis of linguistic task revealed that both tasks activated the same left‐lateralized occipito‐temporo‐frontal network including the IFG. Contrasting neural associative priming effects across linguistic task demands, we found a significant interaction in the right IFG. The present fMRI data give rise to the assumption that activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) in the semantic domain might be important for semantic processing in general and not only for semantic decision making. These findings contrast with a recent study regarding the role of the LIFG for binary decision making in the lexical domain (Wright et al. 2011).
Fatigue and weight loss predict survival on circadian chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Innominato Pasquale F. , Giacchetti Sylvie , Moreau Thierry , Bjarnason Georg A. , Smaaland Rune , Focan Christian , Garufi Carlo , Iacobelli Stefano , Tampellini Marco , Tumolo Salvatore , Carvalho Carlos , Karaboué Abdoulaye , Poncet Antoine , Spiegel David , Lévi Francis ,   International Association for Research on Time in Biology and Chronotherapy (ARTBC) Chronotherapy Group
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia has been associated with prolonged survival selectively in patients on a conventional schedule (combined 5‐fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin [FOLFOX2]) but not on a chronomodulated schedule of the same drugs administered at specific circadian times (chronoFLO4). The authors hypothesized that the early occurrence of chemotherapy‐induced symptoms correlated with circadian disruption would selectively hinder the efficacy of chronotherapy.

METHODS

Fatigue and weight loss (FWL) were considered to be associated with circadian disruption based on previous data. Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (n = 543) from an international phase 3 trial comparing FOLFOX2 with chronoFLO4 were categorized into 4 subgroups according to the occurrence of FWL or other clinically relevant toxicities during the initial 2 courses of chemotherapy. Multivariate Cox models were used to assess the role of toxicity on the time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The proportions of patients in the 4 subgroups were comparable in both treatment arms (P = .77). No toxicity was associated with TTP or OS on FOLFOX2. The median OS on FOLFOX2 ranged from 16.4 (95% confidence limits [CL], 7.2‐25.6 months) to 19.8 months (95% CL, 17.7‐22.0 months) according to toxicity subgroup (P = .45). Conversely, FWL, but no other toxicity, independently predicted for significantly shorter TTP (P < .0001) and OS (P = .001) on chronoFLO4. The median OS on chronoFLO4 was 13.8 months (95% CL, 10.4‐17.2 months) or 21.1 months (95% CL, 19.0‐23.1 months) according to presence or absence of chemotherapy‐induced FWL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Early onset chemotherapy‐induced FWL was an independent predictor of poor TTP and OS only on chronotherapy. Dynamic monitoring to detect early chemotherapy‐induced circadian disruption could allow the optimization of rapid chronotherapy and concomitant improvements in safety and efficacy. Cancer 2013;119:2564–2573. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Attacks via record multiplicity on cancelable biometrics templates
Authors: Li Cai , Hu Jiankun
Published: May 2013

Various template protection techniques have been developed in the past few years, among which cancelable biometrics is a very popular and efficient one. It uses a noninvertible transformation to map an original template to a transformed domain to prevent the recovery of the original template from a compromised transformed template. Generally, cross‐template attacks over cancellable template schemes are evaluated through statistic independence metrics. In this paper, we investigate approaches to launch attacks through cryptanalysis. Four typical cancelable fingerprint template design algorithms have been investigated by applying the attack via record multiplicity attack to retrieve the original template. Concrete attack examples are also given to make the demonstration more intuitive and comprehensive. The results show that all of them are vulnerable if an attacker can obtain multiple transformed templates and their corresponding transformation parameters. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient Two‐Step Testing of Gene‐Gene Interactions in Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Lewinger Juan Pablo , Morrison John L. , Thomas Duncan C. , Murcray Cassandra E. , Conti David V. , Li Dalin , Gauderman W. James
Published: May 2013

Exhaustive testing of all possible SNP pairs in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) generally yields low power to detect gene‐gene (G × G) interactions because of small effect sizes and stringent requirements for multiple‐testing correction. We introduce a new two‐step procedure for testing G × G interactions in case‐control GWAS to detect interacting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) regardless of their marginal effects. In an initial screening step, all SNP pairs are tested for gene‐gene association in the combined sample of cases and controls. In the second step, the pairs that pass the screening are followed up with a traditional test for G × G interaction. We show that the two‐step method is substantially more powerful to detect G × G interactions than the exhaustive testing approach. For example, with 2,000 cases and 2,000 controls, the two‐step method can have more than 90% power to detect an interaction odds ratio of 2.0 compared to less than 50% power for the exhaustive testing approach. Moreover, we show that a hybrid two‐step approach that combines our newly proposed two‐step test and the two‐step test that screens for marginal effects retains the best power properties of both. The two‐step procedures we introduce have the potential to uncover genetic signals that have not been previously identified in an initial single‐SNP GWAS. We demonstrate the computational feasibility of the two‐step G × G procedure by performing a G × G scan in the asthma GWAS of the University of Southern California Children's Health Study.
Strategy to Control Type I Error Increases Power to Identify Genetic Variation Using the Full Biological Trajectory
Authors: Benke K. S. , Wu Y. , Fallin D. M. , Maher B. , Palmer L. J.
Published: May 2013

Genome‐wide association studies have been successful in identifying loci that underlie continuous traits measured at a single time point. To additionally consider continuous traits longitudinally, it is desirable to look at SNP effects at baseline and over time using linear‐mixed effects models. Estimation and interpretation of two coefficients in the same model raises concern regarding the optimal control of type I error. To investigate this issue, we calculate type I error and power under an alternative for joint tests, including the two degree of freedom likelihood ratio test, and compare this to single degree of freedom tests for each effect separately at varying alpha levels. We show which joint tests are the optimal way to control the type I error and also illustrate that information can be gained by joint testing in situations where either or both SNP effects are underpowered. We also show that closed form power calculations can approximate simulated power for the case of balanced data, provide reasonable approximations for imbalanced data, but overestimate power for complicated residual error structures. We conclude that a two degree of freedom test is an attractive strategy in a hypothesis‐free genome‐wide setting and recommend its use for genome‐wide studies employing linear‐mixed effects models.
An on‐site comparative study of yield factors during glume removal, a primary step in the traditional processing of hulled wheats
Authors: Giambanelli Elisa , D'Antuono L Filippo , Hayran Osman , Darbinyan Nune
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Glume removal represents the preliminary step of hulled wheat grain processing for human consumption. Einkorn and emmer wheat are two hulled species, cultivated in marginal areas, from the Mediterranean to the Caucasian region, and the subject of investigation in this paper. An experiment has been carried out to compare the yield of the traditional process, used in Turkey and Armenia, and an updated Italian procedure, by means of on‐plant samplings.

RESULTS

Crushed grains represent a product from all the plants examined. However, the relative amounts of fractions of different size and use, according to each country, varied consistently. The main Italian product is whole pearled grain. The calculated yield factors varied in the following ranges: dehulling: 0.73–0.81 kg kg−1; food product: 0.82–0.96 kg kg−1; overall yield: 0.56–0.95 kg kg−1 excluding unwanted losses, and 0.42–0.74 kg kg−1 including unwanted losses.

Conclusions

This first comparative assay of hulled wheat processing showed that, not considering the kind of product obtained, glume removal can be carried out with good efficiency in continuously operating traditional plants. Modern schemes, however, allow yielding of intact kernels. Some yield factors were highly affected by the available technology, especially when the process was operating discontinuously © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.
High‐efficiency removal of phytic acid in soy meal using two‐stage temperature‐induced Aspergillus oryzae solid‐state fermentation
Authors: Chen Liyan , Vadlani Praveen V , Madl Ronald L
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Phytic acid of soy meal (SM) could influence protein and important mineral digestion of monogastric animals. Aspergillus oryzae (ATCC 9362) solid‐state fermentation was applied to degrade phytic acid in SM. Two‐stage temperature fermentation protocol was investigated to increase the degradation rate. The first stage was to maximize phytase production and the second stage was to realize the maximum enzymatic degradation.

RESULTS

In the first stage, a combination of 41% moisture, a temperature of 37 °C and inoculum size of 1.7 mL in 5 g substrate (dry matter basis) favored maximum phytase production, yielding phytase activity of 58.7 U, optimized via central composite design. By the end of second‐stage fermentation, 57% phytic acid was degraded from SM fermented at 50 °C, compared with 39% of that fermented at 37 °C. The nutritional profile of fermented SM was also studied. Oligosaccharides were totally removed after fermentation and 67% of total non‐reducing polysaccharides were decreased. Protein content increased by 9.5%.

CONCLUSION

Two‐stage temperature protocol achieved better phytic acid degradation during A. oryzae solid state fermentation. The fermented SM has lower antinutritional factors (phytic acid, oligosaccharides and non‐reducing polysaccharides) and higher nutritional value for animal feed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The Factor Structure of Polish Personality–Descriptive Adjectives: An Alternative Psycho–lexical Study
Authors: Gorbaniuk Oleg , Budzińska Anna , Owczarek Martyna , Bożek Ewelina , Juros Karol
Published: May 2013

The results of the Polish psycho–lexical study have been included in nearly all comparisons aimed at finding dimensions common to various cultures and languages. Because of the ambiguity concerning the interpretation of some factors and because of a number of methodological shortcomings, it was decided that another lexical study of the Polish language should be carried out. The alternative study was based on more extensive lexical material and involved a sample covering the full age range. The analyses used 547 personality–descriptive adjectives and self–ratings from 624 respondents aged from 16 to 80 years (mean age = 38.0 years). In a six–factor solution, the obtained structure was typical for many languages: Agreeableness, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Honesty and Intellect. The result of factor analysis depended on neither the type of factoring nor the type of rotation applied. The results of the study were discussed in relation to cross–language studies and to previous studies of the structure of Polish personality–descriptive lexicon. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxicity risk of insecticides to the insect egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Wang Yanhua , Wu Changxing , Cang Tao , Yang Lizhi , Yu Weihua , Zhao Xueping , Wang Qiang , Cai Leiming
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Natural populations of Trichogramma evanescens contribute to the control of lepidopterous pests. The toxic effects of insecticides have been extensively reported on trichogrammatids, but are largely unknown on T. evanescens. In this study, the toxicities of seven classes of chemicals against the parasitoid were investigated.

RESULTS

Among these classes, organophosphates and carbamates exhibited the highest levels of intrinsic toxicity, with LC50 values ranging from 0.025 (0.023–0.028) to 2.20 (1.71–3.09) and from 0.040 (0.032–0.053) to 1.84 (1.53–2.30) mg AI L−1 respectively. Among the phenylpyrazoles, only ethiprole can be considered to be less toxic in the group. Avermectins, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids were less toxic, with LC50 values ranging from 1.29 to 2.57, from 2.26 to 14.03 and from 1.12 to 239.1 mg AI L−1 respectively. In contrast, insect growth regulators (IGRs) showed the lowest toxicity to the parasitoid, with LC50 values ranging from 3383 (2406–5499) to 5650 (4228–8579) mg AI L−1.

CONCLUSION

The results of risk quotient analysis indicated that neonicotinoids, avermectins, pyrethroids and IGRs were less hazardous, but phenylpyrazoles (except for ethiprole), organophosphates and carbamates were slightly to moderately or dangerously toxic to T. evanescens. The present results provide informative data for implementing biological and chemical control strategies in integrated pest management of lepidopterans. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
A comprehensive test for negative frequency‐dependent selection
Authors: Takahashi Yuma , Kawata Masakado
Published: May 2013

Understanding the mechanisms that maintain genetic diversity within a population remains a primary challenge for evolutionary biology. Of the processes capable of maintaining variation, negative frequency‐dependent selection (NFDS), under which rare phenotypes (or alleles) enjoy a high fitness advantage, is suggested to be the most powerful. However, few experimental studies have confirmed that this process operates in nature. Although a lot of suggestive evidence has separately been provided in various polymorphic systems, these are not enough to prove the existence of NFDS in each system. Here we present a general review of NFDS and point out some problems with previous works to develop reasonable alternative research strategies for testing NFDS. In the second half of this paper, we focused on NFDS in the common bluetail damselfly, Ischnura senegalensis, that shows female‐limited genetic polymorphism. We show (1) the proximate causal mechanisms of the frequency‐dependent process, (2) frequency‐dependent inter‐morph interaction, (3) rare morph advantage and (4) morph frequency oscillations in a natural population. These results provide unequivocal empirical support for NFDS in a natural system.
Enhanced thermostability of keratinase by computational design and empirical mutation
Authors: liu Baihong , Zhang Juan , Fang Zhen , Gu Lei , Liao Xiangru , Du Guocheng , Chen Jian
Published: May 2013

Keratinases are proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading insoluble keratins. The importance of these enzymes is being increasingly recognized in fields as diverse as animal feed production, textile processing, detergent formulation, leather manufacture, and medicine. To enhance the thermostability of Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1 keratinase, the PoPMuSiC algorithm was applied to predict the folding free energy change (ΔΔG) of amino acid substitutions. Use of the algorithm in combination with molecular modification of homologous subtilisin allowed the introduction of four amino acid substitutions (N122Y, N217S, A193P, N160C) into the enzyme by site-directed mutagenesis, and the mutant genes were expressed in Bacillus subtilis WB600. The quadruple mutant displayed synergistic or additive effects with an 8.6-fold increase in the t  1/2 value at 60 °C. The N122Y substitution also led to an approximately 5.6-fold increase in catalytic efficiency compared to that of the wild-type keratinase. These results provide further insight into the thermostability of keratinase and suggest further potential industrial applications.
More than 10 Years After the First ‘Savior Siblings’: Parental Experiences Surrounding Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
Authors: Zierhut Heather , MacMillan Margaret L. , Wagner John E. , Bartels Dianne M.
Published: May 2013

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to create a healthy donor for a sibling's hematopoetic stem cell transplantation for a child with Fanconi Anemia (FA) was first reported in 2001. Yet we know little about the experiences of parents who have encountered decision making surrounding PGD and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐typing. The first aim of this study was to understand parents’ awareness, perceptions and beliefs about reproductive decision‐making including emotional, cognitive, moral dimensions as well as regret surrounding the use of this technology. The second aim was to describe the experiences and rationale of parents of children with a single gene disorder regarding the factors that influenced their decision making surrounding the use of natural pregnancy and/or PGD and HLA‐typing. Parents from two national FA support networks in the US and Canada responded to an emailed survey about reproductive decision making and outcomes surrounding natural pregnancy and PGD and HLA‐typing. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi‐Square tests were used to describe and compare data. Our results indicate that the most important factors in the PGD decision making process were the health of the child and cognitive appraisals followed by emotional responses and then moral judgments. A significant difference was noted in parents considering natural pregnancy before and after 2001 (p = 0.01). Unexpected findings were that less than 35 % of parents were offered PGD by any health care professional and only 70 % were aware PGD with HLA‐typing was a reproductive option. Our research suggests that the option of PGD and HLA‐typing may influence parents’ reproductive decision making choices.
Macromolecule Extravasation—Xenograft Size Matters: A Systematic Study Using Probe-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (pCLE)
Authors: Dietrich Antje , Stewart James , Huether Melanie , Helm Mario , Schuetze Christina , Schnittler Hans-Joachim , Jaffray David A. , Kunz-Schughart Leoni A.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Profound changes of the vasculature in tumors critically impact drug delivery and therapy response. We aimed at developing a procedure to monitor morphological and functional parameters of the vasculature in subcutaneous xenograft models commonly applied for therapy testing by using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Procedures

By monitoring various normal and diseased tissues, we established an experimental and analytical set-up to systematically analyze tracer extravasation from the microvasculature. Application of the approach in two xenograft models (HCT-116 and SW620) was realized consecutively throughout tumor growth.

Results

The incidence of dilated vessels increased with xenograft size in both models while macromolecule extravasation and tracer accumulation in the tumor tissue, respectively, was significantly reduced throughout growth. The development of dilated/ultradilated vessels correlated with tracer extravasation only in the HCT-116 but not the SW620 model. The underlying mechanisms are still ambiguous and discussed.

Conclusions

Our findings clearly indicate that both xenograft type and size matter for drug delivery and therapy testing.
Enrichment of Arachidonic Acid for the Enzymatic Synthesis of Arachidonoyl Ethanolamide
Authors: Wang Xiaosan , Wang Xingguo , Wang Tong
Published: May 2013

Arachidonoyl ethanolamide is an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter that potentially has therapeutic properties. In this study, we report an enzymatic method to synthesize this bioactive ethanolamide. First, free fatty acids were obtained from arachidonic acid‐rich oil and then arachidonic acid was enriched by urea inclusion and AgNO3 solution fractionation. Arachidonic acid content was increased from 40.2 to 78.4 % with 27.6 ± 1.8 % total fatty acid mass yield (w/w, relative to total free fatty acid) after urea inclusion. Purification of arachidonic acid by AgNO3 solution fractionation was optimized, and under the optimal conditions, a product with 90.7 % arachidonic acid was obtained with 80.4 % mass yield (w/w, relative to total free fatty acid). Finally, arachidonoyl ethanolamide was synthesized by reacting the purified arachidonic acid with ethanolamine in hexane using Novozym 435 lipase of Novozymes America (Blair, NE), which resulted in the formation of 88.4 ± 0.6 % arachidonoyl ethanolamide with 72.7 ± 2.2 % mass yield. The main novelties of this study are the enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids by AgNO3 solution fractionation which has received little attention in recent years, and this is the first time the synthesis of arachidonoyl ethanolamide is reported.
γ‐Oryzanols of North American Wild Rice (Zizania palustris)
Authors: Aladedunye Felix , Przybylski Roman , Rudzinska Magdalena , Klensporf‐Pawlik Dorota
Published: May 2013

γ‐Oryzanol, a natural mixture of ferulic acid esters of triterpene alcohols and sterols, are an important bioactive components present in rice bran oil. In light of the recent increase in the popularity of wild rice among consumers, and the possibility of a direct relationship between γ‐oryzanol composition and its bioactivity, the oryzanol profile of major wild rice (Zizania palustris) grown in North America was studied and compared to regular brown rice (Oryza sativa L.). A total of twenty‐three γ‐oryzanol components were separated, identified and quantified by HPLC coupled to an Orbitrap MS. The distribution of individual γ‐oryzanols was similar for all the wild rice but significantly different from those of the regular brown rice. Unlike in the regular brown rice, a significant amount of steryl caffeate and cinnamate were found in the wild rice samples. Generally, the amounts of γ‐oryzanol in the wild rice were higher compared to the regular brown rice, 1,352 vs. 688 μg/g. The results from this study showed that wild rice had a more diverse γ‐oryzanol composition and the higher amounts compared to the regular brown rice.
Inhibition of CK2 binding to BMPRIa induces C2C12 differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes
Authors: Moseychuk Oleksandra , Akkiraju Hemanth , Dutta Joyita , D’Angelo Alex , Bragdon Beth , Duncan Randall L. , Nohe Anja
Published: May 2013

BMP2 is a growth factor that regulates the cell fate of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblast and adipocytes. However, the detailed signaling pathways and mechanism are unknown. We previously reported a new interaction of Casein kinase II (CK2) with the BMP receptor type‐Ia (BMPRIa) and demonstrated using mimetic peptides CK2.1, CK2.2 and CK2.3 that the release of CK2 from BMPRIa activates Smad signaling and osteogenesis. Previously, we showed that mutation of these CK2 sites on BMPRIa (MCK2.1 (476S‐A), MCK2.2 (324S‐A) and MCK2.3 (214S‐A)) induced osteogenesis. However, one mutant MCK2.1 induced osteogenesis similar to overexpression of wild type BMPRIa, suggesting that the effect of this mutant on mineralization was due to overexpression. In this paper we investigated the signaling pathways involved in the CK2‐BMPRIa mediated osteogenesis and identified a new signaling pathway activating adipogenesis dependent on the BMPRIa and CK2 association. Further the mechanism for adipogenesis and osteogenesis is specific to the CK2 interaction site on BMPRIa. In detail our data show that overexpression of MCK2.2 induced osteogenesis was dependent on Caveolin‐1 (Cav1) and the activation of the Smad and mTor pathways, while overexpression of MCK2.3 induced osteogenesis was independent of Caveolin‐1 without activation of Smad pathway. However, MCK2.3 induced osteogenesis via the MEK pathway. The adipogenesis induced by the overexpression of MCK2.2 in C2C12 cells was dependent on the p38 and ERK pathways as well as Caveolin‐1. These data suggest that signaling through BMPRIa used two different signaling pathways to induce osteogenesis dependent on CK2. Additionally the data supports a signaling pathway initiated in caveolae and one outside of caveolae to induce mineralization. Moreover, they reveal the signaling pathway of BMPRIa mediated adipogenesis.
Bastnaesite from Kanigiri Granite, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Babu G. Nagendra , Baba M. Sai , Kumar Mary K. , Singh Yamuna , Babu P.V. Ramesh , Parihar P.S.
Published: May 2013

For the first time we report bastnaesite and hydroxyl bastnaesite (lanthanum cerium fluoro-carbonate) from the Kanigiri granite. The host granitoids are of A-type and vary in composition from quartz syenites to peralkaline granites. Rare metal and rare earth-bearing minerals identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies in Kanigiri granite are bastnaesite and hydroxyl bastnaesite, besides columbite-tantalite, monazite, fergusonite, thorite and euxenite. Petromineralogical studies have also revealed the presence of bastnaesite. The presence of bastnaesite in Kanigiri granite suggests that the host felsic rocks may also form a potential source for light rare earth mineral, bastnaesite, apart from the already known rare-metal minerals.
Field and Textural Relationship in Pelitic Schists and Gneisses from the area around Mangpu, Darjeeling District, West Bengal
Authors: Prakash D. , Tewari S.
Published: May 2013

The metasedimentary rocks of the area around Mangpu constitute a portion of the hinge zone of the northern limb of the major synform of Lower Darjeeling Himalaya. The rocks display evidences of multiple deformation and at least three major phases of deformation have been recognized. The time relations between the phases of deformation (D1, D2, D3) and metamorphic crystallization reveal a single major prograde metamorphic event that initiated with the D1 deformation and finally outlasted it. The earlier phase of this metamorphism is essentially regional syn-tectonic low-grade (greenschist facies) which may be designated (M1, early). This was followed by regional static metamorphism (M1, late) in the post-tectonic phase between D1 and D2 deformations (upper green schist and amphibolite facies). This M1 metamorphism is superposed by later retrogressive metamorphism (M2) during the D2 and D3 deformations (lower greenschist facies). Within the study area four isograds have been delineated by the first appearance of index minerals in the pelitic schists and gneiss which display Barrovian type of metamorphism.
Role of Geophysical and Hydrogeological Techniques in EIA Studies to Identify TSDF Site for Industrial Waste Management
Authors: Sonkamble Sahebrao , Sethurama S. , Krishnakumar K. , Dhunde Purushottam , Amarender B. , Kumar V. Satish
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with the importance of integrated hydrogeological, geological and geophysical applications in identifying suitable site for treatment, storage and disposal facility (TDSF) for industrial waste management. The pollution control authorities (Civic body) have a mandate to provide proper TSDF for the industrial zones. One such zone of 2800 acres, established by State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) at Perundurai in southern India, is selected to identify suitable TSDF site. The zone is envisaged to cater 22500 MTA (metric tones per annum) of industrial waste generated by 565 units. Hydrogeological and geological setup forms an important criterion in the process of environmental impact assessment (EIA) to establish proposed activity. Hydrogeological, geophysical and socio-economic/ecological studies were carried out to identify suitable TSDF site. Vertical electrical sounding (VES), multi-electrode resistivity imaging (MERI), ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning, and infiltration tests were performed within the proposed TSDF site of 50 acres land. An inventory of 54 key wells includes depth to water level (varies from 9.7 to 15 m, below ground level) and water chemistry (pH, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, HCO3−,SO42−,NO3− and F−) helped in identifying physical environment around (5 km radius) proposed TSDF site. Geophysical and hydrogeological investigations verified with drillings (at 5 locations) within the proposed TSDF site resulted, shallow hard rock at 4.5 m depth, the absence of groundwater, and low infiltration rate (4.3 cm/hour) of soil in the western side (45 acres) of proposed 50 acres land reveals suitability of TSDF site.
Exhumation and its Mechanisms: A Review of Exhumation Studies in the Himalaya
Authors: Adlakha Vikas , Patel R. C. , Lal Nand
Published: May 2013

Exhumation has been recognised as a key factor in understanding the dynamics of a mountain belt. Normal faulting, erosion and ductile thinning are the three basic mechanisms to exhume the deeper high grade metamorphic rocks to the surface. Convergent orogenic belts are characterised by over-thickening of the crust due to thrusting and folding. The interplay of uplift due to over-thickening of crust and climatic-erosion is the most plausible mechanism of exhumation as suggested by the numerical models and analogue experiments. The analysis of 534 thermo-chronological dates through 1D-thermal numerical model in the Himalaya suggest that the exhumation is dominantly due to erosion but the pattern of erosion is controlled by local tectonic activities in different sector of the Himalaya since Miocene, indicating that tectonic force as the prime mechanism of exhumation in Himalaya.
Implications of Geochemistry in support of Palaeo-Proterozoic Tectonothermal Evolution of Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt, Bastar Craton, Central India
Authors: Vansutre Sandeep , Hari K.R. , Vishwakarma Neeraj
Published: May 2013

Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt which occur along SW margin of Bastar Craton and NE shoulder of Pranhita-Godavari Rift comprise of charnockite (enderbitic variety), garnet-sillimanite-biotite gneiss, quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and corundum bearing aluminous gneiss. High La/Yb ratio, low Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=1.0), high LREE/HREE ratio with uniform REE pattern, high La/Sc ratio (0.53-6.43), high Th/Sc ratio (0.03-2.56), low Ni (5.52-20.95), low Cr (31.05-117.05) and uniform Zr/Hf distribution pattern indicate a Proterozoic character. Distribution pattern of K2O, Na2O and CaO in ternary diagram show quartz–monzonite–granodiorite trend for the bulk rocks indicating that the bulk rock composition is close to TTG of early Archaean, which might have supplied the sediments for the rocks of Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt. Geochemical and mineralogical evidence indicate an argillaceous protolith for garnet – sillimanite - biotite gneiss and corundum bearing aluminous gneiss, whereas an arkosic protolith for quartzo-feldspathic gneiss. The geochemical signatures also suggest an active continental margin setting for the rocks of Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt with prominent Nb and Ta anomaly favouring a subduction environment between Bastar Craton and East Dharwar Craton. This is in conformity with the finding of the earlier workers suggesting a clockwise P-T path based on the combined fluid inclusion and mineral phase equilibria. The LILE geochemistry of charnockite suggests a bi-phase evolution. High LREE/HREE ratio portrays a highly evolved nature of the charnockitic melt generated through partial melting of the continental crust at the final stage of the granulite facies metamorphism during collision between Bastar and East Dharwar Cratons.
Intrusion and Upliftment of Mahakoshal Rocks Between Vindhyan and Gondwana in Narmada Son Lineament, Central India
Authors: Ghosh G. K. , Singh C. L.
Published: May 2013

The Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL) is one of the most prominent geomorphic features in Central India, which, divides the Indian Peninsula into two parts, northern and southern India. The present study carried near the Shahdol-Katni area of Narmada-Son lineament situated in complex transition zone, encompasses with seismically active, robust changes of gravity–magnetic field, undulating sub-surface topography, existence of hot springs and complex geological setting, which, cause the resettlement of inner dynamic progression. The area covers a range of diverse formations viz. alluvial, Deccan traps, Gondwana, Vindhyan and Mahakoshal groups with different ages. Geologically the area is divided into two parts, Vindhyan and Gondwana. The Vindhyan are exposed in the northern part and Gondwana are exposed in the southern part. It can be inferred that the Mahakoshal rocks are non-magnetic and reasonably higher density rocks which are exposed and intruded in between the Vindhyan and Gondwana rocks during the crustal resetting processes, which, may cause changes in magnetic field in the central part near Tala-Barhi area. Based on magnetic data, the area can also be divided into two parts, the northern part containing higher magnetic values (upto 900 nTesla) and the southern part with the values upto -1000 nTesla. The resettlement process may cause the separation of Vindhyan and Gondwana rocks because of the two existing active faults viz. Son Narmada North Fault (SNNF) and Son Narmada South Fault (SNSF). To know the geological setting of the Narmada Son Lineament, the knowledge of basement depth study plays a major role for understanding the inner mechanism of structural scenery of the ground sub-surface. There are number of studies carried out in and around the study area, but present technique plays an important role with sufficient evidences to validate the structural setting carried by the earlier geoscientists. Werner and Euler deconvolution techniques have been jointly carried out over the study area on the available magnetic dataset for basement depth estimation. As per study, the basement depth varies from 4 km to 5 km in the central part compared to both the split ends of the profiles, which, convincingly correlate the consequences carried by earlier studies. As the magnetic method can provide a non-unique solution, it is always recommended for integrated approach for better understanding and substantiation.
Comments on Placenticeras mintoi (Vredenburg, 1906) from the Bagh Beds (Late Cretaceous), Central India with Special Reference to Turonian Nodular Limestone Horizon
Authors: Jaitly Anand K. , Ajane Rahul
Published: May 2013

The Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Coniacian) marine sediments of central India prevalently known as ‘Bagh Beds,’ have been deposited in the E-W extending Narmada Basin. The stratigraphy of these Cenomanian – Coniacian sediments has been reviewed and summarized. The Bagh Beds have been found to consist of three formations: Nimar Sandstone, Nodular Limestone and Corallian Limestone in ascending order. Main emphasis has been given to Nodular Limestone Formation (Turonian), which is the most fossiliferous horizon of the Bagh Beds. Nodular Limestone Formation has more or less alternating bands of varying thickness of nodular limestone and marl. It yielded numerous ammonoid specimens, which have been found to belong to a morphologically highly variable ammoniod taxon Placenticeras mintoi Vredenburg.