bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device for xerostomia relief: A multicenter, randomized trial
Authors: Strietzel Frank P. , Lafaurie Gloria I. , Mendoza Gloria R. Bautista , Alajbeg Ivan , Pejda Slavica , Vuletić Lea , Mantilla Rubén , Falcão Denise P. , Leal Soraya C. , Bezerra Ana C. Barreto , Tran Simon D. , Ménard Henri A. , Kimoto Suguru , Pan Shaoxia , Martín‐Granizo Rafael A. , Lozano M. Lourdes Maniegas , Zunt Susan L. , Krushinski Cheryl A. , Melilli Dario , Campisi Giuseppina , Paderni Carlo , Dolce Sonia , Yepes Juan F. , Lindh Liselott , Koray Meltem , Mumcu Gonca , Elad Sharon , Zeevi Itai , Barrios Beatriz C. Aldape , López Sánchez Rodrigo M. , Beiski Ben Z. , Wolff Andy , Konttinen Yrjö T.
Published: September 2010

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device, consisting of stimulating electrodes, an electronic circuit, and a power source, in treating xerostomia. The device delivers electrostimulation through the oral mucosa to the lingual nerve in order to enhance the salivary reflex.

Methods

The device was tested on a sample of patients with xerostomia due to Sjögren's syndrome and other sicca conditions in a 2‐stage prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. Stage I was a double‐blind, crossover stage designed to compare the effects of the electrically active device with the sham device, each used for 1 month, and stage II was a 3‐month open‐label stage designed to assess the long‐term effects of the active device. Improvement in xerostomia severity from baseline was the primary outcome measure.

Results

A total of 114 patients were randomized. In stage I, the active device performed better than the sham device for patient‐reported xerostomia severity (P < 0.002), xerostomia frequency (P < 0.05), quality of life impairment (P < 0.01), and swallowing difficulty (P < 0.02). At the end of stage II, statistically significant improvements were verified for patient‐reported xerostomia severity (P < 0.0001), xerostomia frequency (P < 0.0001), oral discomfort (P < 0.001), speech difficulty (P < 0.02), sleeping difficulty (P < 0.001), and resting salivary flow rate (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that daily use of the device alleviated oral dryness, discomfort, and some complications of xerostomia, such as speech and sleeping difficulties, and increased salivary output. The results show a cumulative positive effect of the device over the period of the study, from baseline to the end of the trial.
V‐region gene analysis of locally defined synovial B and plasma cells reveals selected B cell expansion and accumulation of plasma cell clones in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Scheel Tobias , Gursche Angelika , Zacher Josef , Häupl Thomas , Berek Claudia
Published: September 2010

Objective

To elucidate the development of synovial tissue–specific B cell immune responses, the clonality of individual naive B cells, memory B cells, and plasma cells and their organization and histologic localization in the inflamed tissue were investigated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

B and plasma cells were isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM) from the synovial tissue of patients with RA. In addition, single naive B cells, memory B cells, and plasma cells were sorted from synovial tissue cell suspensions. RNA was extracted from the cells, and Ig VH genes were amplified, cloned, and sequenced.

Results

Both LCM and single cell sorting analyses showed that naive and memory B cells infiltrated the RA synovial tissue. Comparison of the V‐gene repertoire of B and plasma cells suggested that synovial plasma cells were generated, by and large, from locally activated B cells, indicating that a selected population of memory B cells differentiates into large plasma cell clones that then accumulate in the inflamed tissue. Clonally related plasma cells were isolated from separate and distinct localized areas of the tissue, suggesting that the newly generated plasma cells have a high migratory capacity.

Conclusion

These results support the idea of a continuous activation of selected B cell clones, and hence a massive accumulation of plasma cells, in RA synovial tissue. As B cells and their secreted antibodies are an important factor in controlling inflammatory processes, patients with RA displaying intensive synovial tissue lymphocytic infiltrations might benefit from B cell depletion therapy. Early treatment will prevent accumulation of pathogenic plasma cells.
Protein–protein interactions in transcription: A fertile ground for helix mimetics
Authors: Guarracino Danielle A. , Bullock Brooke N. , Arora Paramjit S.
Published: September 2010

Designed ligands that inhibit protein–protein interactions involved in gene expression are valuable as reagents for genomics research and as leads for drug discovery efforts. Selective modulation of protein–protein interactions has proven to be a daunting task for synthetic ligands; however, the last decade has seen significant advances in inhibitor design, especially for helical protein interfaces. This review discusses examples of transcriptional complexes targeted by designer helices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 1–7, 2011.
Production of heparanase constructs suitable for nuclear magnetic resonance and drug discovery studies
Authors: Mosulén Silvia , Ortí Leticia , Bas Esperanza , Carbajo Rodrigo J. , Pineda‐Lucena Antonio
Published: September 2010

Heparanase is an endo‐β‐D‐glucosidase capable of specifically degrading heparan sulphate, one of the main components of the extracellular matrix. This 65 kDa polypeptide is implicated in cancer processes such as tumour formation, angiogenesis and metastasis, making it a very attractive target in antitumour treatments. Structure‐based approaches to find inhibitors of heparanase have been historically hampered by the lack of success in crystallizing the protein. With the aim to undertake the NMR structural characterisation of heparanase, we have designed and produced, using recombinant methods, smaller constructs of heparanase containing the catalytically active glutamic acids and the two binding sites for heparan sulphate. An extensive range of expression and purification conditions were evaluated to alleviate the intrinsic low solubility and aggregation propensity of heparanase, allowing the obtention of the enzyme in milligram quantities, both unlabelled and 15N‐labelled for NMR studies. Using the smallest of the designed constructs and applying NMR and SPR methodologies, we have demonstrated that known inhibitors of heparanase bind to this construct specifically and selectively with KD values in the range of those reported for human heparanase, validating it for future drug discovery projects focused on the identification of novel inhibitors of this enzyme. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 151–160, 2011.
Inhibition of hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor complex with designed epipolythiodiketopiperazine
Authors: Kushal Swati , Wang Hui , László Csaba F. , Szábo Lajos Z. , Olenyuk Bogdan Z.
Published: September 2010

Designed small molecule inhibitors of hypoxia‐inducible gene expression have potential to become new research tools for molecular biology, genetics and serve as leads to new therapeutics. We report design, synthesis evaluation of biological activity, and a preliminary mechanistic study of epipolythiodiketopiperazine (ETP) transcriptional antagonist that targets the interaction between the C‐terminal transactivation domain (C‐TAD) of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) and cysteine‐histidine rich region (CH1) of transcriptional coactivator p300/CBP. Our results indicate that in cultured cells synthetic ETP 3 disrupts the structure and function of this complex in a dose‐dependent manner, resulting in rapid downregulation of hypoxia‐inducible gene expression. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 8–16, 2011.
Dynamic flux balance modeling of microbial co‐cultures for efficient batch fermentation of glucose and xylose mixtures
Authors: Hanly Timothy J. , Henson Michael A.
Published: September 2010

Sequential uptake of pentose and hexose sugars that compose lignocellulosic biomass limits the ability of pure microbial cultures to efficiently produce value‐added bioproducts. In this work, we used dynamic flux balance modeling to examine the capability of mixed cultures of substrate‐selective microbes to improve the utilization of glucose/xylose mixtures and to convert these mixed substrates into products. Co‐culture simulations of Escherichia coli strains ALS1008 and ZSC113, engineered for glucose and xylose only uptake respectively, indicated that improvements in batch substrate consumption observed in previous experimental studies resulted primarily from an increase in ZSC113 xylose uptake relative to wild‐type E. coli. The E. coli strain ZSC113 engineered for the elimination of glucose uptake was computationally co‐cultured with wild‐type Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which can only metabolize glucose, to determine if the co‐culture was capable of enhanced ethanol production compared to pure cultures of wild‐type E. coli and the S. cerevisiae strain RWB218 engineered for combined glucose and xylose uptake. Under the simplifying assumption that both microbes grow optimally under common environmental conditions, optimization of the strain inoculum and the aerobic to anaerobic switching time produced an almost twofold increase in ethanol productivity over the pure cultures. To examine the effect of reduced strain growth rates at non‐optimal pH and temperature values, a break even analysis was performed to determine possible reductions in individual strain substrate uptake rates that resulted in the same predicted ethanol productivity as the best pure culture. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 376–385. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MATLAB‐SIMULINK‐based simulation for digital differential relay protection of power transformer for educational purpose
Authors: Vahidi B. , Esmaeeli E.
Published: September 2010

Differential protection was already applied toward the end of the 19th century and was one of the first protection systems ever used. Faults are detected by comparison of the currents flowing into and out of the protected plant item. As a result of the fast tripping with absolute selectivity, it is suited as main protection of all important items of plant. The article presents an approach to teaching relay laboratory using specially designed exercises that can be done using MATLAB‐SIMULINK. This article presents a MATLAB‐SIMULINK‐based technology to simulate differential relay for determining behavior of it during transformer internal fault protection. The results show that this simulation method can work properly and this design can be used for power system simulation in MATLAB‐SIMULINK. Evaluation of the simulation with more than 60 students is very positive in terms of their developing confidence in and understanding of this kind of relay operation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 21: 475–483, 2013
Adaptive interactions in shared virtual environments for heterogeneous devices
Authors: Kim Soo Jeong , Gil Kyung Jun , Kim HyungSeok , Lim Sang Boem , Kim Jee‐in
Published: September 2010

In this research, we propose a method to adapt the interfaces and interaction processes of heterogeneous devices. The proposed method models the interaction capability of the devices. The interaction is modeled by categorizing elementary actions and measuring its effect in semantic behaviors. With this model, an interaction process can be modified to a given device by changing sequence of elementary actions for each behavior. In the pilot test, we showed the possibility of interaction adaptation for different situations. With the proposed adaptation mechanism, interface and interaction can be modeled for the device independently and can be transferred over different interaction environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural influence of chiral tertiary aminonaphthol ligands on the asymmetric phenyl transfer to aromatic aldehydes
Authors: Wei Hui , Yin Lu , Luo Haibin , Li Xingshu , Chan Albert S. C.
Published: September 2010

A series of chiral tertiary aminonaphthol ligands were prepared from 2‐naphthol, (S)‐1‐phenylethylamine, and aldehydes with diverse substituted groups. The results of asymmetric phenyl transfer to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by these chiral ligands indicated that enantioselectivities were greatly influenced by the electronic and steric effects of the ligands. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The comparison in enantioseparation ability of the chiral stationary phases with single and mixed selector—The selectors derived from two D‐tartrates
Authors: Chen Jun , Li Mu‐Zi , Xiao Yan‐Hua , Chen Wei , Li Shi‐Rong , Bai Zheng‐Wu
Published: September 2010

(2S,3S)‐2,3‐Bis(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbonyloxy)‐3‐(benzyloxycarbonyl)‐propanoic acid and (2S,3S)‐2,3‐bis(1‐naphthalenecarbonyloxy)‐3‐(benzyloxycarbonyl)‐propanoic acid were synthesized from D‐tartaric acid. These two compounds were chlorinated to afford two chiral selectors for chiral stationary phases (CSPs). The selectors were separately immobilized on aminated silica gel to give two single selector CSPs; and were simultaneously immobilized to obtain a mixed selector CSP. Comparing to the single selector CSPs, the mixed selector CSP bears the enhanced enantioseparation ability, suggesting that the two selectors in the mixed selector CSP are consistent for chiral recognition in most mobile phase conditions. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effectiveness of population‐based service screening with mammography for women ages 40 to 49 years
Authors: Hellquist Barbro Numan , Duffy Stephen W. , Abdsaleh Shahin , Björneld Lena , Bordás Pál , Tabár László , Viták Bedrich , Zackrisson Sophia , Nyström Lennarth , Jonsson Håkan
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND:

The effectiveness of mammography screening for women ages 40 to 49 years still is questioned, and few studies of the effectiveness of service screening for this age group have been conducted.

METHODS:

Breast cancer mortality was compared between women who were invited to service screening at ages 40 to 49 years (study group) and women in the same age group who were not invited during 1986 to 2005 (control group). Together, these women comprise the Mammography Screening of Young Women (SCRY) cohort, which includes all Swedish counties. A prescreening period was defined to facilitate a comparison of mortality in the absence of screening. The outcome measure was refined mortality, ie, breast cancer death for women who were diagnosed during follow‐up at ages 40 to 49 years. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.

RESULTS:

There was no significant difference in breast cancer mortality during the prescreening period. During the study period, there were 803 breast cancer deaths in the study group (7.3 million person‐years) and 1238 breast cancer deaths in the control group (8.8 million person‐years). The average follow‐up was 16 years. The estimated RR for women who were invited to screening was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.66‐0.83), and the RR for women who attended screening was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.62‐0.80).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this comprehensive study, mammography screening for women ages 40 to 49 years was efficient for reducing breast cancer mortality. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Generating web‐based user interfaces for computational science
Authors: van Hemert Jano , Koetsier Jos , Torterolo Livia , Porro Ivan , Melato Maurizio , Barbera Roberto
Published: September 2010

Scientific gateways in the form of web portals are becoming the popular approach to share knowledge and resources around a topic in a community of researchers. Unfortunately, the development of web portals is expensive and requires specialists skills. Commercial and more generic web portals have a much larger user base and can afford this kind of development. Here we present two solutions that address this problem in the area of portals for scientific computing; both take the same approach. The whole process of designing, delivering and maintaining a portal can be made more cost‐effective by generating a portal from a description rather than programming in the traditional sense. We show four successful use cases to show how this process works and the results it can deliver. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From freud to a modern understanding of behavioral, physiological, and brain development
Authors: Stern Judith M. , Weinberg Joanne , Hennessy Michael B.
Published: September 2010

Seymour Levine's first “early experience” experiments were inspired by Freud. Yet, Levine's lifetime of work, and the work of his colleagues and scientists who followed, unveiled a myriad of early experience effects that even Freud himself could not have imagined. Related to and extending beyond his work on early experience, Levine also made important, often seminal, contributions to overlapping and related areas, such as early maternal separation and deprivation, maternal behavior and physiology, sexual differentiation, perinatal malnutrition, attachment in non‐human primates, hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) stress reactivity and its adaptive significance, and the development of the HPA system. Moreover, his work spawned new lines of research by investigators active today. The papers contained in this special issue provide a sampling of research demonstrating some of the important directions in which those earliest experiments have led, many with clinical applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 52: 609–615, 2010.
Insulin resistance is related to impaired lung function in morbidly obese women: a case–control study
Authors: Lecube Albert , Sampol Gabriel , Muñoz Xavier , Lloberes Patricia , Hernández Cristina , Simó Rafael
Published: September 2010

Background

There is growing evidence suggesting an association between type 2 diabetes and impaired pulmonary function. However, the role of insulin resistance itself remains to be elucidated. The aim of the study is to determine whether obese patients with insulin resistance without diabetes have reduced pulmonary function in comparison with non‐diabetic obese subjects without insulin resistance.

Methods

Seventy‐five morbidly obese non‐diabetic women [50 with an insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment, HOMA‐IR) ≥ 3.8—cases—and 25 with HOMA‐IR < 3.8—controls—] with a history of not smoking and without prior cardiovascular or respiratory disease were prospectively recruited in the outpatient Obesity Unit of a university hospital. Both groups were closely matched by age, body mass index and waist circumference. Pulmonary function test included a forced spirometry and static pulmonary volume measurements.

Results

Patients with HOMA‐IR ≥ 3.8 showed lower forced expiratory volume at 1 s [mean difference − 7.6% of predicted (95% confidence interval − 14.2 to − 0.9); p = 0.025], and also a lower maximum midexpiratory flow [mean difference − 16.4% of predicted (95% confidence interval − 30.9 to − 2.0); p = 0.026] in comparison with those with HOMA‐IR < 3.8. Significant negative correlations between HOMA‐IR and forced expiratory volume at 1 s, maximum midexpiratory flow and forced vital capacity were detected. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HOMA‐IR (β = − 0.323, p = 0.002) and total lung capacity (β = 0.468, p < 0.001) were independently associated with forced expiratory volume at 1 s (r2 = 0.358).

Conclusions

Insulin resistance is related to respiratory function impairment in morbidly obese women. Our results strongly suggest that the metabolic pathways related to insulin resistance are crucial in initiating lung abnormalities previously described in type 2 diabetic patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drosophila variable nurse cells encodes arrest defective 1 (ARD1), the catalytic subunit of the major N‐terminal acetyltransferase complex
Authors: Wang Ying , Mijares Michelle , Gall Megan D. , Turan Tolga , Javier Anna , Bornemann Douglas J. , Manage Kevin , Warrior Rahul
Published: September 2010

Mutations in the Drosophila variable nurse cells (vnc) gene result in female sterility and oogenesis defects, including egg chambers with too many or too few nurse cells. We show that vnc corresponds to Arrest Defective1 (Ard1) and encodes the catalytic subunit of NatA, the major N‐terminal acetyl‐transferase complex. While N‐terminal acetylation is one of the most prevalent covalent protein modifications in eukaryotes, analysis of its role in development has been challenging since mutants that compromise NatA activity have not been described in any multicellular animal. Our data show that reduced ARD1 levels result in pleiotropic oogenesis defects including abnormal cyst encapsulation, desynchronized cystocyte division, disrupted nurse cell chromosome dispersion, and abnormal chorion patterning, consistent with the wide range of predicted NatA substrates. Furthermore, we find that loss of Ard1 affects cell survival/proliferation and is lethal for the animal, providing the first demonstration that this modification is essential in higher eukaryotes. Developmental Dynamics 239:2813–2827, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the Hand1 cell lineage reveals novel contributions to cardiovascular, neural crest, extra‐embryonic, and lateral mesoderm derivatives
Authors: Barnes Ralston M. , Firulli Beth A. , Conway Simon J. , Vincentz Joshua W. , Firulli Anthony B.
Published: September 2010

The basic Helix‐Loop‐Helix (bHLH) transcription factors Hand1 and Hand2 play critical roles in the development of multiple organ systems during embryogenesis. The dynamic expression patterns of these two factors within developing tissues obfuscate their respective unique and redundant organogenic functions. To define cell lineages potentially dependent upon Hand gene expression, we generated a mutant allele in which the coding region of Hand1 is replaced by Cre recombinase. Subsequent Cre‐mediated activation of β‐galactosidase or eYFP reporter alleles enabled lineage trace analyses that clearly define the fate of Hand1‐expressing cells. Hand1‐driven Cre marks specific lineages within the extra embryonic tissues, placenta, sympathetic nervous system, limbs, jaw, and several cell types within the cardiovascular system. Comparisons between Hand1 expression and Hand1‐lineage greatly refine our understanding of its dynamic spatial‐temporal expression domains and raise the possibility of novel Hand1 functions in structures not thought to be Hand1‐dependent. Developmental Dynamics 239:3086–3097, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new modeling approach for circuit‐field‐coupled time‐stepping electromagnetic analysis of saturated interior permanent magnet synchronous motors
Authors: Kano Yoshiaki , Watanabe Kyohei , Kosaka Takashi , Matsui Nobuyuki
Published: September 2010

This paper proposes a new modeling approach for circuit‐field‐coupled time‐stepping electromagnetic analysis of a saturated interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). To predict the drive performance quickly, the proposed approach consists of a dynamic simulator based on a new analytical model of thed‐ andq‐axis magnetization characteristics (λ‐id‐iq‐θ). The model can take into account not only cross‐saturation but also the harmonics of the inductance distributions and EMF waveforms. The validity of the model is verified from suitable simulation results for the instantaneous current and torque waveforms of the IPMSM. The proposed analysis leads to a dramatic reduction in the computation time compared to circuit‐field‐coupled time‐stepping FEA, while maintaining analytical accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally verified using a 10‐kW, 15,000‐rpm concentrated‐winding IPM motor. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 174(1): 49–58, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21024
Development of an eigenvalue estimation method (Mode Coupling Method) for small signal stability analysis of power system
Authors: Uchida Naoyuki
Published: September 2010

An eigenvalue estimation method for small signal stability analysis of electric power systems is proposed. The method, called the Mode Coupling Method, is used to estimate efficiently the nonlinear change of the eigenvalue with respect to the change of parameter. The eigenvalue sensitivity analysis method, which has been used to estimate the change of the eigenvalue, is a method of linear estimation of the change of the eigenvalue. However, the eigenvalue frequently shows a strong nonlinear change, and therefore the calculation efficiency and speed were insufficient in the conventional method. In the Mode Coupling Method, the most important modes and those most related to the major mode under consideration are first selected. Next, these two or more selected modes are coupled and the new eigenvalues of the coupled matrix are calculated, providing good estimation of the new eigenvalues. The size of the coupled matrix is very small. We can consider mutual interaction between important modes. Thus, this is a powerful method in which nonlinear estimation of eigenvalues is possible. When the QR method is used, the calculation time for eigenvalue analysis is proportional to the third power of the size of the matrix. The size of the matrix used for the mode coupling method is approximately 1/6 of the original value. Therefore, the computing time for eigenvalue estimation becomes less than 1% of the original computing time. The computational accuracy of the proposed method is verified with the IEEJ EAST30 standard power system model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 174(1): 10–16, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ eej.21037
Planar Tetracoordinate Carbon Atoms in M4C Square Sheets (M = Ni, Pd, and Pt) Sandwiched between the Large π‐Coordinating Ligands [C8H8]2– and [C9H9]–
Authors: Guo Jin‐Chang , Li Si‐Dian
Published: September 2010

Using the strategy of transition metal coordination together with that of large π‐coordinating ligand complexation for planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) atoms, we present in this work a systematical DFT investigation on the possibility of ptC centers in M4C square sheets sandwiched in [CnHn]M4C[Cn′Hn′] complexes (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; n, n′ = 8, 9) with the planar π‐coordinating ligands [C8H8]2– and [C9H9]–. Introduction of a ptC center into an M4 square sheet to form four effective ptC–M bonds helped to stabilize the [CnHn]M4C[Cn′Hn′] complexes thermodynamically, and the π‐coordinating [C8H8]2– and [C9H9]– ligands were found to match the M4C middle decks both geometrically and electronically. Planar tetracoordinate boron (ptB) and nitrogen (ptN) behave similarly to ptC in these sandwich structures. These model sandwich complexes invite experimental syntheses and characterizations in order to open up a new area in coordination chemistry for planar tetracoordinate carbon and other non‐metal atoms.
[B(3,5‐C6H3Cl2)4]– as a Useful Anion for Organometallic Chemistry
Authors: Chaplin Adrian B. , Weller Andrew S.
Published: September 2010

We highlight the use of the robust [B(3,5‐C6H3Cl2)4]– anion in organometallic chemistry. When partnered with organometallic cations, compared with [BArF4]– it presents desirable solubility properties, a lack of anion disorder in the solid‐state, different coordinating properties with metal fragments and convenient metathetical routes for utilisation in synthesis.
Oligomerization of glycerol – a critical review
Authors: Martin Andreas , Richter Manfred
Published: September 2010

The oligomerization of glycerol to preferentially di‐ and triglycerol is reviewed, with primary focus on the use of heterogeneous acidic and basic catalysts. Low molecular‐weight oligomers have found a wide field of applications in cosmetics, food industry and polymer production. The growing market intensified research work on the selective catalytic oligomerization of glycerol. Performing the reaction of glycerol in the presence of microporous and mesoporous solid catalysts aims at exerting shape‐selective effects on the reaction, suppressing the abundant formation of cyclic isomers and cutting further polymerization of the target products. Enhanced selectivity to diglycerol is observed over some type of catalysts, but the solids suffer from leaching of active alkaline cations from the solid, severe deterioration of crystallinity of zeolites and even dissolution of the solids in the hot glycerol during batch reaction at temperatures in the range of 240–260°C. In those cases it is difficult to separate homogeneous and heterogenous reaction routes, and the shape‐selective effects are levelled off. The oligomerization is a consecutive reaction, and complete conversion of glycerol favours formation of high molecular‐weight glycerol oligo‐ and polymers. To achieve maximum yield of diglycerol, the reaction has to be interrupted at glycerol conversions ofca.50%. Alternative reaction engineering is required to overcome the inherent disadvantages of a batch reaction. Examples will be given for a selective glycerol oligomerization under reduced pressure in a so‐called fall‐film reactor using super‐acidic polymers as catalysts.
Application of a spectroscopic method to estimate the olive oil oxidative status
Authors: Mahesar Sarfaraz A. , Bendini Alessandra , Cerretani Lorenzo , Bonoli‐Carbognin Matteo , Sherazi Syed Tufail Hussain
Published: September 2010

A rapid Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopic method coupled with partial least squares (PLS), was developed to estimate the oxidation degree of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The reference values of EVOO oxidation for the FTIR calibration were obtained by the specific absorptions at 232 and 270 nm, due to the presence of conjugated diene (CD) and conjugated triene (CT) groups, as monitored by the UV spectrophotometric determination. Specific washing procedures were applied to the EVOO to obtain EVOOP and EVOOTP samples, without phenolic compounds and without tocopherols and phenols, respectively. To obtain different oxidation degrees covering wide CD and CT ranges, EVOO, EVOOP, and EVOOTP samples were subjected to a forced oxidation at 60°C for 20 days and aliquots of the oils were daily analyzed. Regression of the FTIR/PLS‐predicted CD and CT of individual oxidized oils EVOO, EVOOP, EVOOTP, and all combined oils (EVOOALL) against UV–Visible reference values demonstrated the good quality of the models in terms of R2 and RMSECV values. The results of the study indicated that a strong correlation existed between FTIR and UV–Visible peak intensities.

Practical applications: The FTIR‐ATR method coupled with PLS elaboration was developed and applied to predict the oxidation degree of EVOO samples with considerable advantages in terms of simplicity, analysis time, and solvent consumption as compared to the standard method. Moreover, suitable adjustments of the equipment could permit a rapid control at‐line in oil sector.
Evaluation of enantioselective binding of fluoxetine to human serum albumin by ultrafiltration and CE – Experimental design and quality considerations
Authors: Asensi‐Bernardi Lucía , Martin‐Biosca Yolanda , Villanueva‐Camañas Rosa María , Medina‐Hernández María José , Sagrado Vives Salvador
Published: September 2010

Several pharmacokinetic processes are affected by enantioselectivity (ES). At the level of distribution, protein binding (PB) is one of the most important. The enantioselective binding of fluoxetine (FLX) to HSA has been evaluated in this work by ultrafiltration of FLX–HSA mixtures and chiral analysis of unbound fractions by EKC‐CD. PB, affinity constants (K) and ES were obtained for both enantiomers of FLX. In order to improve the consistency of the estimations, the evaluation of affinity constants of each enantiomer was performed using two designs, one keeping constant the total concentration of protein and varying the total concentration of the enantiomers, and the other in the opposite way, in both casesviaan unusual short‐concentration interval strategy to assure model validity. Different mathematical approaches were compared and characterised and some of them, judged as the most consistent under the experimental conditions used, were selected to provide final estimates. Quality considerations include criteria for three critical aspects: (i) detecting/eliminating outliers, (ii) checking the number of binding sites in the protein and (iii) evaluating the robustness of each approach. The differences on estimates from the selected approaches were used as an uncertainty source to delimit the reported values. The ES of HSA for FLX enantiomers was approximate. Estimates include the assumptions of independent and competitive models. In the last case, a SIMPLEX function was designed capable of simultaneously optimizing the non‐linear binding models for both enantiomers, thus improving the consistence of results.
Two dimensional electrophoretic analysis of human tears: Collection method in dry eye syndrome
Authors: Saijyothi Aluru Venkata , Angayarkanni Narayanasamy , Syama Chandran , Utpal Tatu , Shweta Agarwal , Bhaskar Srinivasan , Geetha Iyer Krishnan , Vinay Pillai S. , Thennarasu Maruthamuthu , Sivakumar Rajappa M. , Prema Padmanabhan
Published: September 2010

Tear proteomics, by 2‐DE, can give a fingerprint of the protein profile, which is well suited in clinical proteomics for biomarker identification and in diagnostics. The mode of tear collection can influence the representation of the proteins in the tear and therefore it is important to use the appropriate method. In this study, capillary and Schirmer mode of tear collection was done in the healthy controls and the Schirmer method was validated in dry eye syndrome conditions. 2‐D PAGE of normal and dry eye tear was performed using pH 3–10 linear IPG strips followed by 13% SDS‐PAGE. The spot intensity was analyzed by the PD quest software. The two methods were compared using Bland–Altman statistical tool. The 2‐D map of capillary and Schirmer tear showed 147±8 spots and 145±7 spots respectively. Both the collection methods were in agreement with each other and were comparable. Dry eye tear protein showed differential expression of proteins as observed in 25–35 kDa region. One of the significantly reduced protein was identified as proline‐rich 4 protein. Schirmer method of tear collection is reliable in patients with dry eye, which can display the differential protein expression and help in biomarker identification.
A novel, neutral hydroxylated octadecyl acrylate monolith with fast electroosmotic flow velocity and its application to the separation of various solutes including peptides and proteins in the absence of electrostatic interactions
Authors: Karenga Samuel , El Rassi Ziad
Published: September 2010

A neutral hydroxylated octadecyl monolith (ODM‐OH) for reversed‐phase capillary electrochromatography has been developed. The ODM‐OH was prepared by the in situ polymerization of octadecyl acrylate and pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) in a ternary porogenic solvent. Pentaerythritol triacrylate possesses a hydroxyl functional group, which imparts the monolith with a hydrophilic group, thus the acronym ODM‐OH. The ODM‐OH column exhibited cathodal EOF over a wide range of pH and ACN concentration in the mobile phase despite the fact that it was devoid of any fixed charges. This ODM‐OH monolith exhibited stronger EOF than its counterpart the ODM made from the in situ polymerization of octadecyl acrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate. Similar to ODM, it is believed that the EOF was due to the adsorption of ions from the mobile phase onto the surface of the monolith thus imparting the neutral monolithic column the zeta potential necessary to support the EOF. The higher EOF exhibited by ODM‐OH was due to the presence of polar OH groups on its surface, which would favor stronger adsorption of ions from the mobile phase. The wide applications of the neutral ODM‐OH column were demonstrated in the separation of a wide range of small and large solutes. As a typical result, the ODM‐OH was able to separate proteins quite rapidly yielding 200 000 plates/ m.
Effects of stream channel morphology, transport processes and effective discharge on salmonid spawning habitats
Authors: Hauer C. , Unfer G. , Tritthart M. , Habersack H.
Published: September 2010

The effects of stream channel morphology, transport processes and effective discharge on the salmonid spawning habitats ofThymallus thymallusandSalmo trutta ff.were investigated within the catchment of the Gr. Mühl River, Austria. Based on field survey, one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional hydraulic and sediment transport modelling, the abiotic characteristics of the spawning sites have been investigated. Application of the Meyer‐Peter, Müller and Shields equations for determining critical discharge and critical shear stress revealed differences in the threshold of sediment motion due to the specific grain size sorting of the surface layer, which was dominated by cobbles and sand. Suitable grain sizes for spawning were found mainly in the subsurface layer of the free‐flowing sections. The findings highlighted the necessity for upstream delivery to downstream of suitable spawning material during floods. Moreover, the study demonstrates that discharge‐related sediment transport does not mean a simultaneous renewal of spawning material (fine gravel, gravel) transported from upstream reaches. Thus, an effective discharge for spawning habitats was determined using a standardized deposition index (Di), based on two‐dimensional sediment transport modelling. The results show that the effective discharge for spawning habitats is a useful tool for spawning habitat restoration, representing the frequency of turnover and renewal of spawning habitats over the long term. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cost‐effective upgrade of WDM all‐optical networks using overlay fibres and hop reduction links
Authors: Farjady Farsheed , Kim Kyeong Soo (Joseph) , Dahdah Nayla El , Doran N. J.
Published: September 2010

Fibre overlay is a cost‐effective technique to alleviate wavelength blocking in some links of a wavelength‐routed optical network by increasing the number of wavelengths in those links. In this letter, we investigate the effects of overlaying fibre in an all‐optical network (AON) based on GÉANT2 topology. The constraint‐based routing and wavelength assignment (CB‐RWA) algorithm locates where cost‐efficient upgrades should be implemented. Through numerical examples, we demonstrate that the network capacity improves by 25 per cent by overlaying fibre on 10 per cent of the links, and by 12 per cent by providing hop reduction links comprising 2 per cent of the links. For the upgraded network, we also show the impact of dynamic traffic allocation on the blocking probability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An alternative method for in vitro fire smoke toxicity assessment of polymers and composites using human lung cells
Authors: Lestari F. , Hayes A. J. , Green A. R. , Chattopadhyay G.
Published: September 2010

An alternative method for in vitro fire smoke toxicity assessment of polymers and composites using human lung cells has been investigated. A range of building and train interiors including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methachrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fiberglass‐reinforced polymer (FRP), and melamine‐faced plywood (MFP) were studied. The exposure of combustion toxicants to human lung cells (A549) at the air/liquid interface was acquired using a Harvard Navicyte Chamber. Cytotoxic effects on human cells were assessed based on cell viability using the MTS assay (Promega). Cytotoxicity results were expressed as no observable adverse effect concentration (NOAEC), 10% inhibitory concentration (IC10), 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), and total lethal concentration (TLC) values (mg/l). Mass loss data and toxic product yield were also determined. Results suggested that PVC (IC50 1.99 mg/l) was the most toxic materials followed by PP, FRP‐16, PC, PMMA, FRP‐10, PE, and melamine plywood. Some materials revealed to be more toxic under flaming combustion (PP, PC, FRP‐16, and FRP‐10), while others (PVC, PMMA, PE, and melamine plywood) appeared more toxic under non‐flaming combustion. The method developed can be used to screen the toxicity of materials which would be important information in building and mass transport material selection. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local circuitry involving parvalbumin‐positive basket cells in the CA2 region of the hippocampus
Authors: Mercer Audrey , Eastlake Karen , Trigg Hayley L. , Thomson Alex M.
Published: September 2010

There is a growing recognition that the CA2 region of the hippocampus has its own distinctive properties, inputs, and pathologies. The dendritic and axonal patterns of some interneurons in this region are also strikingly different from those described previously in CA1 and CA3. The local circuitry in this region, however, had yet to be studied in detail. Accordingly, using dual intracellular recordings and biocytin‐filling, excitatory and inhibitory connections involving CA2 parvalbumin‐positive basket cells were characterized for the first time. CA2 basket cells targeted neighboring pyramidal cells and received excitatory inputs from them. CA2 basket cells that resembled those in CA1 with a fast spiking behavior and dendritic tree confined to the region of origin received depressing excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). In contrast, unlike CA1 basket cells but like CA1 Oriens‐Lacunosum Moleculare (OLM) cells, the majority of CA2 basket cells had horizontally oriented dendrites in Stratum Oriens (SO), which extended into all three CA subfields, had an adapting firing pattern, presented a “sag” in their voltage responses to hyperpolarizing current injection, and received facilitating EPSPs. The expression of Ih did not influence the EPSP time courses and paired pulse ratios (PPR). Estimates of the probability of release (p) for the depressing and facilitating EPSPs were correlated with the PPR. Connections with low probabilities of release had higher PPR. Quantal amplitude (q) for the facilitating connections was larger than q at depressing inputs onto fast spiking basket cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc.
Astrocyte calcium signals at Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal cell synapses correlate with the number of activated synapses but not with synaptic strength
Authors: Honsek Silke D. , Walz Corinna , Kafitz Karl W. , Rose Christine R.
Published: September 2010

Glial cells respond to neuronal activity by transient increases in their intracellular calcium concentration. At hippocampal Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal cell synapses, such activity‐induced astrocyte calcium transients modulate neuronal excitability, synaptic activity, and LTP induction threshold by calcium‐dependent release of gliotransmitters. Despite a significant role of astrocyte calcium signaling in plasticity of these synapses, little is known about activity‐dependent changes of astrocyte calcium signaling itself. In this study, we analyzed calcium transients in identified astrocytes and NG2‐cells located in the stratum radiatum in response to different intensities and patterns of Schaffer collateral stimulation. To this end, we employed multiphoton calcium imaging with the low‐affinity indicator dye Fluo‐5F in glial cells, combined with extracellular field potential recordings to monitor postsynaptic responses to the afferent stimulation. Our results confirm that somata and processes of astrocytes, but not of NG2‐cells, exhibit intrinsic calcium signaling independent of evoked neuronal activity. Moderate stimulation of Schaffer collaterals (three pulses at 50 Hz) induced calcium transients in astrocytes and NG2‐cells. Astrocyte calcium transients upon this three‐pulse stimulation could be evoked repetitively, increased in amplitude with increasing stimulation intensity and were dependent on activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Activity‐induced transients in NG2‐cells, in contrast, showed a rapid run‐down upon repeated three‐pulse stimulation. Theta burst stimulation and stimulation for 5 min at 1 Hz induced synaptic potentiation and depression, respectively, as revealed by a lasting increase or decrease in population spike amplitudes upon three‐pulse stimulation. Synaptic plasticity was, however, not accompanied by corresponding alterations in the amplitude of astrocyte calcium signals. Taken together, our results suggest that the amplitude of astrocyte calcium signals reflects the number of activated synapses but does not correlate with the degree of synaptic potentiation or depression at Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal cell synapses. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc.
Neurokinin2‐R in medial septum regulate hippocampal and amygdalar ACh release induced by intraseptal application of neurokinins A and B
Authors: Schäble Sandra , Huston Joseph P. , de Souza Silva Maria A.
Published: September 2010

The neurokinin receptors (NK‐R), NK2‐ and NK3‐R, have been implicated in behavioral processes, but apparently in opposite ways: while NK2‐R agonism disrupts memory and has anxiogenic‐like action, NK3‐R agonists facilitate memory and display anxiolytic‐like effects. Systemic application of NK2‐R antagonists block the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the hippocampus, which is induced by intraseptal administration of the NK2‐R ligand, neurokinin A (NKA). We investigated the effects of medial septal injection of NKA and a preferred ligand of NK3‐R, neurokinin B (NKB), on the activity of cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain and assessed the role of the medial septal NK2‐R in the control of extracellular ACh levels in cholinergic projection areas. ACh was dialysed in the frontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus of anesthetized animals and was analysed by HPLC‐EC. ACh levels in hippocampus and amygdala, but not in frontal cortex were increased after intraseptal injection of either NKA or NKB (0.1, 1, 10 μM). Application of the nonpeptidic NK2‐R antagonist, saredutant SR48968 (1, 10, 100 pM), followed by NKA (1 μM) or NKB (10 μM) injection into the medial septum, blocked the ACh increase in hippocampus and amygdala. These results indicate that medial septal NK2‐R have an important role in mediating ACh release, for one, via the septal‐hippocampal cholinergic projection and, secondly, via direct or indirect route to the amygdala, but not frontal cortex. They also support the hypothesis that hippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission controls amygdala function suggesting that this interaction is regulated via NK2‐R in the medial septum. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Building and remodeling synapses
Authors: Benson Deanna L. , Huntley George W.
Published: September 2010

Synaptic junctions are generated by adhesion proteins that bridge the synaptic cleft to firmly anchor pre‐ and postsynaptic membranes. Several cell adhesion molecule (CAM) families localize to synapses, but it is not yet completely understood how each synaptic CAM family contributes to synapse formation and/or structure, and whether or how smaller groups of CAMs serve as minimal, functionally cooperative adhesive units upon which structure is based. Synapse structure and function evolve over the course of development, and in mature animals, synapses are composed of a greater number of proteins, surrounded by a stabilizing extracellular matrix, and often contacted by astrocytic processes. Thus, in mature networks undergoing plasticity, persistent changes in synapse strength, morphology, or number must be accompanied by selective and regulated remodeling of the neuropil. Recent work indicates that regulated, extracellular proteolysis may be essential for this, and rather than simply acting permissively to enable synapse plasticity, is more likely playing a proactive role in driving coordinated synaptic structural and functional modifications that underlie persistent changes in network activity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.